Niagara Police have now charged a fourth Port Colborne man with sexual assault and related offences dating back 20 years.
70-year-old Shane Ayres is facing two counts to sexual assault.
He is in custody pending a bail hearing Friday.
The tips started coming in a flood after police made the first arrest three weeks ago and investigators have now identified seven victims.
But say there may be more.
Port Colborne is a town of 18,000 or so and many locals know the man who now faces 40 charges, most of them sexual and against his own family members.
The charges include:
- Sexual assault, interference and exploitation
- Sexual exploitation of a person with a disability
- Incest
- Corrupting children
- Forcible confinement and assault with a weapon
“I don’t think this would be an easy story in a big city but Port Colborne is a small town of people who care about one another,” said Det.-Sgt. Matt Hodges of the Niagara Regional Police.
The first arrest on June 24th followed concerns brought forward by a community services worker.
“There were some interviews conducted and based on that, more interviews, and things just snowballed.”
Police have also charged two others with sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a person with a disability.
They are 52-year-old Gerald “Butchy” Fleming and 50-year-old William Vorstenbosch.
Both of whom are also from Port Colborne.
All three suspects have appeared in court to face their charges, two of them are still behind bars and Gerald “Butchy” Fleming is out on bail.
“At this point we have identified seven victims,” said Det.-Sgt. Hodges.
“It’s my belief there are others out there that have yet to come forward. Maybe if they see my face they’ll know who they’ll be in touch with.”
He says tips have led to both the discovery of more suspects and more victims.
Vorstenbosh has another court appearance coming up July 20 in St. Catharines by video.
Police are still gathering evidence, and have established a tip line: 289-248-1035.
