Timothy James Ciappara, 65, went on trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Kentville this September on 16 charges of historical sexual abuse involving his stepdaughter. Ciappara pleaded guilty on the second day of the trial to one count of sexual assault from an incident in August 2000, when the victim was 17. Photo by ContributedArticle contentA former Annapolis Valley man’s sentencing hearing on a charge of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter 25 years ago, when she was 17, has been postponed until February.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentTimothy James Ciappara, 65, who used to live in Kingsport but now resides in Prince Edward Island, went on trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Kentville this September on 16 charges involving the woman.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe complainant contacted police in 2023 and told them she had been molested multiple times between January 1990, when she was seven, and August 2000.Article contentCiappara was charged with six counts of sexual assault, six counts of sexual exploitation and four counts of sexual interference.Article contentHe changed his plea to guilty on one charge of sexual assault on the second day of trial, when the 42-year-old complainant was to resume testifying.Article contentA publication ban on the woman’s identity was lifted by the court at her behest.Article contentCiappara’s sentencing was set for Dec. 8 but he appeared in court by video Thursday to request an adjournment.Article contentDefence lawyer Stan MacDonald told the court he is seeking an opinion from an expert to support an application to have his client exempted from the national sex offender registry.Article contentThe expert, who was not identified in court, is meeting with Ciappara next week and will probably file his report early in the new year, MacDonald said.Article contentArticle contentCrown attorney Brandon Blenkarn did not oppose the adjournment request.Article contentJustice Gail Gatchalian rescheduled Ciappara’s sentencing hearing for Feb. 25.Article contentSome agreed facts about the offence that were based on the woman’s testimony were read into the record in September.Article contentThe incident happened in a bedroom at the family home in Kingsport in August 2000 while Ciappara was showing his stepdaughter, who was about to head off to university, how to defend herself.Article contentAfter demonstrating how to strike an attacker in the face, Ciappara placed the girl’s hand on his testicles and said, “This is where you would squeeze a man.”Article contentThat act constituted an assault that violated the teen’s sexual integrity, MacDonald acknowledged.Article contentCiappara remains subject to an October 2023 undertaking that prohibits him from communicating with the victim or anyone under the age of 16. He also cannot go to any places related to the victim or attend schools, pools, playgrounds, arenas, daycares or other places where persons under the age of 16 are likely to be present.
Former Annapolis Valley resident’s sentencing for sexual assault adjourned until February
