2 people charged with sexual assault now reported missing

Two people in Cape Breton charged last month withsexually assaulting a young person in 2020were reported missing on Friday, with a family member telling police they haven't been in contactwith the pair since two days after their arrest.

Daryl Lawrence Digout, 53, and Shelley Dawn Diane Digout, 48, were arrestedon May 29at a home in BarraHead, in Richmond County.They were charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation, and subsequentlyreleased on conditions.

Police said that on Friday, Richmond County RCMPreceived a reportfrom a family memberthat the pairwere missing. The family member said they weren't in contact with either of them sinceMay 31.

Cpl. Chris Marshall, a spokesperson for the RCMP, said although there is an investigation regarding the sexual assault, the RCMP are handling the disappearancesas a missing persons case.

"At this point, basically, while you know, we certainly have a crossover between the two files or investigations. The reality is, they have to be looked at separately," he said.

"Yes, we know, these two people have been charged with serious offences, but they've been released on conditions which include remaining within Nova Scotia and not communicating with the victim."

The pair's nextcourt date is scheduled for Aug. 28in Port Hawkesburyprovincial court.

Marshall said if the two are not found and do not show up to their court date, or are found to have breached conditions, then a warrant for their arrest will be issued and additional charges will be filed.

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