A Lower Sackville man facing charges for allegedly luring a child into a grocery-store washroom remains out of custody on strict conditions.
Last Friday, Leo Jones, 19, was arrested and charged with the sexual assault and abduction of a four-year-old boy after police say the child was taken into the second-floor washroom at the Superstore on Joseph Howe Drive.
After being charged, he was released by police on various conditions.
“This was a unique case,” said Halifax Regional Police spokesman Const. Brian Palmeter.
“There’s things about this case which the public is not aware, and it did play a factor in the decision for this individual to be released over the weekend.”
The incident happened Wednesday afternoon, with police saying the accused approached the youth, and then took him to the washroom.
The boy was later reported missing and staff tried to locate him.
Police say the man left the washroom with the child, and when he reached the main floor, walked out of the store.
Palmeter said Jones was on the “most stringent of conditions” possible after he was charged, and felt comfortable police were keeping public safety in mind.
Those conditions include him remaining in the province and not going to the Superstore on Joseph Howe Drive.
He also can’t have contact with children under 16 without parental supervision, or be in any place known to be frequented by children, Public Prosecution Service spokeswoman Chris Hansen said Monday.
Palmeter said with the charges faced by Jones, a person is usually likely to be held by police until appearing in court, but the decision can be taken on a case-by-case basis.
Jones’ lawyer appeared on his behalf in court Monday afternoon for his arraignment. The case returns to court on Sept. 18.
