Robert Usher Found Guilty of Raping and Assaulting Child; Sentencing Set for January 6

Fourteen years after sexually assaulting and raping an 8-year-old child, Robert Usher has been found guilty by Justice Candice Nanton.  The trial of 34-year-old Usher concluded today with a guilty verdict and a sentencing date set for January 6, 2025.  Usher was convicted of one count of aggravated assault of an indecent nature; one count of indecent assault and three counts of rape. The victim, who is now 22 years old, testified that she was 8 years old back in 2010 when Usher began touching her inappropriately.  She furthered that the indecent sexual advances continued unabated, and when she turned 13, Usher proceeded to rape her.  The child reported the matter to her mother, but nothing was done as the mother did not believe her.  She added that despite telling Usher to stop touching her, he didn’t and instead, would threaten her.  According to her testimony, after the third rape, she confided in her aunt who then got the authorities involved.  The sexual abuse and rape occurred from September 2010 through to 2019 when the child’s family moved from the neighbourhood.  Notes from our court reporter say that Justice Nanton conceded that while the memory of the victim may be faded, she was convinced, beyond a doubt, that Usher did commit the heinous crimes against the victim.  Justice Nanton noted that the testimony coupled with medical evidence and the timelines were what cemented the guilty verdict.  Usher was represented in court by Attorney Lynden Jones.  During the trial, Usher denied the charges, saying that he could not have carried out the sexual assaults and that on many occasions, the victim was left in his care along with other children.