Accused in chained-teen case faces more charges
Two tossed from court during David James Leblanc's hearing in Bridgewater, N.S.
CBC News
Posted: Oct 9, 2012 7:32 AM AT
Last Updated: Oct 9, 2012 8:04 PM AT
A man accused of sexually assaulting and chaining up a 16-year-old boy in a home on Nova Scotia's South Shore appeared briefly in court Tuesday, looking gaunt in a navy blue T-shirt and sweatpants.
David James Leblanc, 47, entered the courtroom slowly, limping. His feet were covered in bandages under his light blue hospital slippers.
Leblanc, who was originally charged with forcible confinement, sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping, is now facing additional charges including administering a noxious substance, uttering a death threat and breach of an undertaking.
The additional charges were released Tuesday morning before Leblanc's appearance in Bridgewater provincial court. He was remanded until Oct. 23.
Leblanc said nothing during his brief court appearance, other than to respond "Yes" when the judge asked him if he understood he would be back in court in two weeks. He sat with his back to the public gallery and looked back when two young men directed insults at him.
"I hope you hear me, goof," said one of the men.
"I hope he dies," the man shouted as he and his companion were kicked out of court.
The pair told CBC News they came in support of the alleged victim, whose identity is shielded by a publication ban.
The teenager was allegedly kept at the house in Upper Chelsea for eight days, but escaped and walked more than one kilometre to a home seeking help. He had chains wrapped around his wrists and ankles and was wearing only a hooded sweatshirt and a hat when he was found.
David James Leblanc, who has been charged with forcible confinement and sexual assault, was returned to Nova Scotia on Friday night, five days after he was found on a logging road northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont.
(RCMP)Gail Seamone-Conrad, who lives close to the house where the alleged offences took place, came to Bridgewater provincial court on Tuesday to get a glimpse of the accused.
"The man in the pictures appeared to be well dressed and haircuts and so on. This man didn't, the facial expression was even different, it didn't look like the same man to me," she told CBC News outside the courthouse.
"I wish him all the hardship he can possibly get."
Other suspect's body found in Ontario
Leblanc returned to Nova Scotia on Friday night, five days after he was found barefoot on a logging road northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont.
The body of a second suspect, Wayne Alan Cunningham, was found last week ending a national manhunt for the two men. The charges against him were withdrawn on Tuesday.
Cunningham's body was found close to where Leblanc was arrested after being spotted by a passerby who was returning from a camping trip. Leblanc's face was scratched up and police said he appeared disoriented and wasn't dressed for the cold weather.
Police said they do not suspect foul play in Cunningham's death.
Arrest warrants for Leblanc and Cunningham read, "Over the course of several days, these two men forcibly confined and sexually assaulted [the teen]," and say the two "were talking about trying to sell him."
Crown attorney Lloyd Tancock said Leblanc could apply for bail, but under different conditions because he's charged with breaching earlier court conditions.
"It's what's called a reverse onus bail hearing, which means Mr. Leblanc has to satisfy the court why he should be released, as opposed to the normal course where the Crown has to show why the individual should be held in custody," Tancock told reporters outside the courtroom.
Share Tools
Latest Nova Scotia News Headlines
- Halifax woman prepares for big Gambia run
- As thousands of Nova Scotians recover from running in Bluenose Marathon events, a Halifax woman is preparing to run 17 half-marathons in 17 days — in Gambia. more »
- Halifax musicians rally behind guitarist Rick Edgett
- A group of Halifax musicians are rallying behind a local guitar player who's dying of cancer. more »
- Conservative MP remains tight-lipped on Duffy scandal
- Revenue Minister and P.E.I. Conservative MP Gail Shea isn't offering an opinion on whether Senator Mike Duffy should resign in light of the unraveling expenses controversy. more »
- Thousands race in 10th Blue Nose Marathon
- Thousands of people in Nova Scotia are resting after competing in the 10th Annual Blue Nose Marathon on Sunday. Just under 14,000 people participated in the three-day long event, a new record. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Unknown remains found on Dellen Millard's farm
- Police searching the farm of Dellen Millard, the 27-year-old charged with first-degree murder after the remains of Ancaster, Ont., man Tim Bosma were discovered, have found other remains on the property, but it's unclear if they are human or animal. more »
- Canadian on EI shut out amid foreign worker influx
- A jobless Canadian IT professional who is collecting employment insurance is upset because he now suspects several recent jobs he applied for went to temporary foreign workers. more »
- Can the Senate fire a senator?
- An expert on parliamentary rules says the Senate has the power to turf a senator from the chamber, as long as a majority approves the expulsion, and as long as there is cause. more »
- Nahlah Ayed: Vote-wary Iranians mull Ahmadinejad's successor
- Iranians go to the polls in less than four weeks to choose a new president. The reform movement is still smarting from its bitter defeat four years ago, but the jockeying for power is no less intense, Nahlah Ayed reports. more »
- Edmonton boy, 2, killed after car hits patio
- A two-year-old boy is dead after a car smashed into a patio at a south Edmonton restaurant Sunday night. more »
- Missing Halifax man found in woods after capsizing boat
- Halifax woman prepares for big Gambia run
- Thousands race in 10th Blue Nose Marathon
- Halifax musicians rally behind guitarist Rick Edgett
- Canadian on EI shut out amid foreign worker influx
- Cape Breton fishermen pray as lobster season begins
- Man charged after throwing a bucket at an RCMP officer
- N.S. tobacconist won’t appeal charter challenge ruling
- Man, 80, dies on fishing outing near Bridgewater

