Jason Tress leaves the Red Deer Courthouse on June 21. (rdnewsNOW/Troy Gillard)

By Troy Gillard

judge reserves decision

Trial concludes for Red Deer Mountie charged with sexual assault

Jun 26, 2019 | 5:06 PM

A Red Deer RCMP officer will find out this fall whether he is guilty of sexual assault with a weapon and breach of trust.

Trial wrapped up Wednesday in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench for Cst. Jason Tress.

The 32-year-old faces two counts in relation to an incident in the early morning hours of May 1, 2016 when he and three other officers responded to a domestic dispute call at a Red Deer apartment.

RELATED: Trial begins for Red Deer Mountie charged with sexual assault with a weapon

RELATED: Mountie on trial denies woman’s claim he asked inappropriate questions

20 STUDENTS

Red Deer Catholic students advance in Health Care Aide Program at RDP

6h ago

Concerning numbers

Food bank visits up 90 per cent in Canada, 81 per cent in Red Deer in five years

7h ago

July 2024 Incident

Charge withdrawn for Blackfalds resident accused in collision with pedestrian

8h ago

While at the scene Tress took the female complainant, who was 19 at the time, into a bedroom for questioning and closed the door.

After several minutes of questioning, the complainant said their conversation took an unexpected turn when Tress asked whether her breasts were real or fake.

The woman said she then asked Tress twice to let her out of the bedroom, waiting “what felt like 20 to 40 seconds” before he stepped aside and allowed her to leave.

Tress denied asking the woman about her breasts.

Defence lawyer Robb Beeman argued that the complainant cannot be believed, saying she had a lot to drink that night which makes her recollection of what took place unreliable. He also noted the woman initially lied about how much she had to drink that night and about what she’d been drinking.

Beeman did concede that what Tress did that night may have been unprofessional, but said it wasn’t criminal.

“While he perhaps should not have his job, it’s not a situation where he should lose his liberty,” Beeman argued. “It’s rude, its offensive, but it does not cross the threshold.”

Crown prosecutor Photini Papadatou argued the woman’s testimony was in fact credible and accused Tress of lying in a bid to cover up his actions.

“(His actions were) consistent with a man who did not want evidence of what happened in a closed room with a young woman coming to light,” she implored. “The court should have no difficulties in misbelieving Mr. Tress and believing what has been put to you by (the complainant).”

Justice M. David Gates will deliver his decision on September 24.