BATTLEFORD — When the judge found the accused guilty in a Saskatchewan child pornography case, he noted the guilt was "beyond a reasonable doubt," based on the evidence provided, according to his written report, which became available to SaskToday on Nov. 29.
Justice Grant Currie found Joseph Sproull guilty on all charges - possessing, making and distributing child pornography, as well as sexual assault and sexual interference, when he pronounced his verdict in the case on Nov. 27.
Sproull's four-day trial wrapped up on Oct. 31 at the Court of King's Bench in Battleford.
He was facing charges relating to his residence in Marshall where a home-based daycare used to also operate at the same time.
In the written report, the judge noted that 488 images of child pornography were found on Sproull's personal cellphone.
This included nine photos that were shown to have been taken in Sproull's home. Some of the nine photos show child pornography involving a man and a child.
A key piece of evidence is that Sproull was the only man in the home when the children attending the daycare were also in the home, according to the report.
The judge's report indicated it was essentially unfathomable that a separate, unknown man entered the home at this time, managed to get the victims to the bathroom or playroom, where the offences occurred, sexually assaulted the children while taking photos, then dressed them again and "escaped from the home without anyone knowing that he had been there."
"The alternative is beyond the realm of a reasonable doubt," Currie stated. "It is not a real possibility. It is not a plausible theory or a reasonable possibility."
A publication ban is in effect on identifying the victims and complainants in the case.
Joseph Sproull was arrested in September 2021 and was out of custody prior to being found guilty of the charges.
Currie adjourned sentencing until Jan. 22, 2025, at 10 a.m. At that time, final submissions will be made, a pre-sentence report will be submitted, and victim impact statements will be read.
