A Canadian man from Nova Scotia is facing serious charges of sexual assault in the Bahamas after allegedly assaulting an elderly Canadian woman with Alzheimer’s while they were both staying at a resort. The family of the victim has come forward to shed light on the harrowing incident that occurred during what was supposed to be a vacation.
According to the victim’s son, David Ahrens, his 80-year-old mother was on holiday with relatives at the Warwick Hotel and Resort on Paradise Island, Nassau. The family was approached by a Canadian man whom they did not know, and he later joined them for dinner. However, the situation took a distressing turn when the man allegedly assaulted the victim after encountering her in an elevator.
The family launched a frantic search for the victim, eventually involving local police and the assistance of a guest at the resort who works with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The guest found the victim with the accused in an elevator on another floor, leading to the man’s apprehension by authorities.
The accused, identified as Gordon Wilkie, 61, was arraigned on charges of rape and remanded into custody. Wilkie, reportedly an employee of Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
The victim’s family has emphasized the need for awareness of the risks when traveling with vulnerable individuals and hopes that speaking out will prevent similar incidents in the future.
Wilkie has been released on bail, and his case is set to be further heard in court in May. The allegations against him have not been proven in court.
