RNC Const. Sean Kelly on stand at lewd phone call trial

A Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer took the stand in a Corner Brook provincial courtroom in his own defence Thursday in a case alleging he made indecent phone calls to a young woman three years ago.

Const. Sean Kelly, who is suspended from the force without pay, is charged with making indecent phone calls and public mischief. 

The charges that landed Kelly testifying at his own trial stem from Oct. 17, 2012.

The complainant, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, testified earlier in the trial that someone made two indecent phone calls to her place of work.

According to her, the person on the other end of the phone complimented her chest and asked to have sex with her. 

The Crown has confirmed that the two calls came from the Kelly's phone.

However, the defence argues that Kelly did not make the calls and has placed the blame on another man — whose identity is protected under a publication ban. 

A 'source'

In 2012, Kelly was working with the Corner Brook detachment's drug division.

He told the court he tried to make this other man a source that would provide him with information for Kelly's police investigations.

On the day in question, Kelly claims this person had his phone when the two calls were made. 

My God, I don't know how this could have happened.- Const. Sean Kelly told his superior

When confronted by his superiors at the RNC about the alleged indecent calls from his cell phone, Kelly didn't mention that someone else had his phone that day.

In court, the Crown pointed out that Kelly told a staff sergeant, "My God, I don't know how this could have happened."

On the stand, Kelly admitted that he should have handled things differently, but said he wanted to protect the identity of a possible source.

• RNC officer accused of making indecent calls

At the time, this person was not a listed course with the RNC or the RCMP.

Kelly's trial is expected to continue Friday.

According to an RNC release from the time of Kelly's arrest, another complainant said inappropriate phone calls were received two days prior to other alleged lewd calls.