Trial continues for Regina music instructor charged with sexual interference of a minor

Prosecutors are asking for an amendment to how timing is treated in the Claro Belen sexual interference trial.

The trial of Claro Recto Belen continued on Tuesday.

Belen has been charged with sexual interference, sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching, and exposing his genitals to a minor, in connection to an incident in February of 2024.

• Trial begins for Regina music instructor accused of sexual assaulting minor

Crown prosecutor Jillian Borrowman proposed that Justice Holli Kuski Bassitt allow an amendment that would expand the alleged offense dates from being on or about Feb. 3, 2024, to between Aug. 1, 2023, and Feb. 3, 2024.

Defense counsel Nicholas Robinson argued that the amendment would allow prejudice to flow into the trial.

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After a near four-hour adjournment on Tuesday afternoon, the decision was ultimately made to grant the amendment.

“Overall, I am satisfied that allowing the amendments to the indictment will not undermine trial fairness in this case,” Kuski Bassitt said.

The trial will pick back up on Wednesday at 2 p.m.