Shelley Digout of Barra Head, Richmond County. CONTRIBUTED/RCMP Photo by Nicole Sullivan /ContributedArticle contentA married couple from Cape Breton has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting an adolescent girl.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 contentDaryl Lawrence Digout and Shelley Dawn Diane Digout committed the offences when the victim was between nine and 12 years old. She often stayed overnight on weekends at the couple’s home in Barra Head, Richmond County, for Bible studies.Article contentArticle contentJudge Paul Scovil previously found the husband and wife guilty of sexual assault following a trial in Port Hawkesbury provincial court in February.Article contentArticle contentIn addition to the five-year prison term, Scovil sentenced the couple to seven days for breaching a court order by failing to appear for fingerprinting. After RCMP charged the couple in May 2023, the Digouts went missing but were found weeks later in Richmond County.Article contentScovil also ordered the couple to register under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act for life and imposed a 10-year firearms ban.Article content Daryl Digout of Barra Head, Richmond County. CONTRIBUTED/RCMPArticle contentThe couple originally stood trial in October 2024 but the judge overseeing the matter stepped aside due to a conflict of interest that arose in the testimony and declared a mistrial.Article contentThe retrial began in January 2025. After they were found guilty, the Digouts appealed the conviction, stating they were denied the right to a timely trial.Article contentHowever, a provincial court judge dismissed that appeal.Article contentArticle content
Cape Breton husband and wife who sexually assaulted girl sentenced to prison
