The Novum Times

Edmonton man accused of sex offences against girls denied bail

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The Novum Times
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An Edmonton man who police say may have lured more than 100 young girls on social media has been denied another shot at bail.

Imesh Ratnayake was in the Court of King’s Bench on Friday afternoon for a detention review hearing on 37 charges.

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Ratnayake had sought pretrial release on the charges, which was denied by Justice Grant Dunlop. Dunlop’s reasons for denying bail — as well as evidence and submissions from Crown and defence — are subject to a publication ban.

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Ratnayake was 21 when he was first arrested in July 2022 by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit. He was accused of using Snapchat to lure six girls aged 11 to 13 from the Edmonton and Morinville areas.

He was initially charged with offences including sexual assault, making child pornography, distribution of intimate images and extortion.

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Imesh Ratnayake is charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, luring a child, making child pornography, transmitting child pornography, possessing child pornography, obtaining sexual service for consideration from persons under 18, Invitation to sexual touching, distribution of intimate images; and extortion.

Six victims of online child luring, sexual assault in Edmonton, Morinville area: ALERT

The Internet Child Exploitation, ICE, unit alleges that Imesh Ratnayake was involved in a series of child luring instances that are believed to have taken place in Morinville and the Edmonton area. The 21-year-old man allegedly met the youth online and lured them. Handout photo, ICE

Edmonton man faces 18 more charges in child luring, sexual assault investigation

Ratnayake was released on bail but rearrested Dec. 9, 2022. At the time, police said they had “discovered thousands of videos and images that depict upwards of potentially 100 additional, unidentified victims of child luring and sexual assault.”

Ratnayake was charged with 18 additional offences, bringing the total to 37.

Among the charges was a count of failing to comply with a release order, which resulted in him being returned to custody.

Ratnayake’s case is next in court Nov. 1 for a pretrial conference. He is scheduled to start a seven-week trial in September 2024.

jwakefield@postmedia.com

twitter.com/jonnywakefield

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