64-Year-Old Man Found Guilty of Sexual Assault Against 10-Year-Old Minor

A sixty-four-year-old Hattieville resident is facing seven years behind bars for the sexual assault of a minor. Leo Smith stood trial for allegedly asking a ten-year-old for sex. He then promised her that he would give her two dollars in exchange. The trial against Smith concluded in June and today the court found him guilty of the crime. Reports are that on December first, Smith removed the child’s clothing and made the request, but she managed to escape from him and later told her mother what happened.  The child’s testimony and that of her mother played a huge role in the court’s verdict. In court, the Senior Magistrate told Smith that there was no reason not to believe the child’s testimony. The Senior Magistrate described the testimonies as unshaken and credible. When Smith heard the verdict and that he would be remanded pending sentencing, he almost fell in court still in shock over the decision.  Smith immediately got defensive and said he will be appealing the conviction. Smith said in court that the victim came to court and told lies about him and fabricated the story. Then he began to question how it was that the clothing which the child claims he took off her was never brought to court. The sitting Senior Magistrate explained to Smith that at this stage, it is not the time for him to try to put up another defense and that he had the opportunity to do so already during the trial. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August second. Smith indicated to the court he has individuals he wishes to call as character witnesses. He further stated that he only visited the house to take some seafood there and that while putting the products into the refrigerator, he stepped on the child’s foot and that was it. Smith denied ever touching the child inappropriately in any sexual way.