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THE
SATANIC SEX SCANDAL
RON AND LINDA STERLING
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Ron Sterling now works
as a taxi cab driver.
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At the time of the Martensville investigation, Ron
Sterling worked as assistant deputy director of
the Saskatoon Correctional Centre and as a volunteer
firefighter. Linda operated a private daycare from
their home.
The Sterlings became pariahs the day the rumours
of abuse started.
Ron
was suspended without pay after the charges were
laid and never did return to work for the province.
His father died of a heart attack the day that the
trial started.
"This is one of the most terrible charges you
can face. It's even worse than murder...How do you
get over something like this? I know I didn't do
anything wrong. Our lives are gone. Our reputation
is gone. My job is gone," say Ron Sterling.
Their son, Travis Sterling was the only one convicted
of sexual abuse in the Martensville case. Ron Sterling
believes that his son is innocent. "I know
he didn't do anything. And I know my family did
nothing wrong. How do I prove it? I can't. You're
just going to have to believe me."
The couple eventually lost their home in Martensville
because of the fallout from the charges. Ron and
son Travis briefly operated a signmaking business
in Prince Albert after their legal battle, but that
failed. They still live in Prince Albert, where
Ron drives taxi. Linda is a homemaker.
They claim they will never escape the stigma of
being charged with sexual abuse. "You're not
anonymous anywhere. It doesn't matter where we go.
There's always somebody who will stop and stare,
point a finger."
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