MacIntosh says sex was legal and consensual

Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh testified in his own defence at a Cape Breton, N.S.,sex-offence trial Monday.

MacIntosh, 67, is on trial for allegedly molesting three boys in the 1970s. The trial has heard from all three complainants and the former businessman took the stand to present his version of events.

He told Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Joseph Kennedy he had sexual relations with two of the men, but it was consensual when they were of legal age. The age of consent was 14 at the time. He denied having any sexual relations with the third accuser.

MacIntosh told the court he was born in Guysborough in 1943 and ran away from home at age 14. He said his step-father was an abusive man who beat him, sometimes using a stick. MacIntosh said he eventually joined the air force and trained in electronics engineering.

He said he moved to Cape Breton in his 30s and opened an electronics navigation business in Port Hawkesbury. He also joined the executive of the Strait Pirates junior B hockey team.

One of the complainants testified earlier this week that he first met MacIntosh due to his connection to the team. He said the abuse occurred when he was nine or 10.

On Monday, MacIntosh said he vaguelyremembered the complainant hanging around the hockey rink when he was a boy, but said he did not know him. He said he had not fondled the boy.

MacIntosh said the sexual relationship with the other two complainants was consensual and when they were of legal age.

The mother of one of the alleged victims was in court to hear MacIntosh's testimony and spoke to CBC News. Her name cannot be used due to a publication ban on the case.

"It's terrible, terrible. Terrible for all the victims that we had to go through all this and have to listen to all those lies. The truth will prevail," she said.

The defence and Crown will present their summaries of the evidence starting Tuesday.A verdict is expected in January.