A First nation man charged with sexual assault has been found not guilty. Walter Cooke was alleged to have sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman at an Aboriginal Health Centre in Hamilton where he worked as a counsellor. The 68-year-old elder, who is well known among Northern First Nation people, was charged last year in January. However Cooke’s wife testified he was home sick the day of the alleged assault and two co-workers also told the court he wasn’t at work. The defense argued the victim’s testimony was very inconsistent and the judge handed down the not guilty verdict.
