A Catholic priest from Manning accused of sexually assaulting a minor has been found not guilty of sexual assault and sexual interference.
60 year old Abraham Azhakathu of St. James the Major Parish was arrested and charged in March 2014, and a two-day trial was held last week in Peace River.
At the time, police said the charges resulted from a minor reporting the assaults throughout 2013, but the minor’s identity has been protected by the court.
For the past year Azhakathu has been on strict conditions not to live anywhere outside of Alberta, though not in Manning, and not to be with anyone under the age of 16.