Calgary bus driver not guilty of sexually assaulting teen passenger

Former Calgary bus driver Paul Desmaraismade the sign of the cross Friday after a judge found him not guilty of sexual assault charges. He then embraced three sobbing members of his family who had been in the gallery.

Desmarais was on trial for sexual assault, sexual interference with a child under 16 and sexual contact with a youth by a person in authority. He was53 at the time he befriended a 14-year-old passenger in September 2007.

The complainant was also in the courtroom along with two supporters and left quickly after thedecision.

2 years, 2 routes

In his decision, Court of Queen's Bench Justice Richard Neufeldreviewed theevidence, whichfocussed on the testimony of both Desmarais and thecomplainant, whose identity is protected by a publication ban.

The relationship spanned a couple of years andtwo bus routes.

The young womansaid Desmaraisbegan grooming her for a relationship by showing her a naked photo of himself in 2007.

Desmaraisdenied a sexual relationship. He painted the complainant as a stalker who had, at one point, asked him "to be her first," which he says he rejected.

The bus driver said the girl struck him as lonely and without many friends. He saidshe would stayon his bus past herstop.

'Odd but not implausible'

At one point, Desmaraistold the girl she would have to stop riding hisbus but he admitted he never told a superior about the girl.

The judge found Desmarais's version "odd but it is not implausible."

Although the girl knew many personal details about Desmarais, it was information he says he also shared with other passengers.

Neufeldfound thecomplainant's testimony was "impressive in detail" and said she demonstrated a "keen intellect," but said he did have credibility concerns.

The young woman said some of the sexual touching happened while Desmarais was driving and she was standing beside him.

The judge found it "improbable if not implausible" Desmaraiscould have manoeuvred a large transit bus with one hand while groping the alleged victimwith the other without other passengers noticing.

During his testimony, the former bus driver, who is now in his 60s,said he had "lost everything" since he was charged.