*updated 9:00pm
John Collyer took the stand in his own defence at the Bridgewater Courthouse this morning.
The former Chief of Bridgewater police is accused of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a minor
Defence attorney David Bright questioned Collyer about his relationship with the minor and her family.
When asked about the inappropriate messages Collyer sent to the girl over Facebook, he was remorseful, saying he was ashamed and embarrassed by the messages.
Collyer said he deleted them shortly after they were sent and tried his best to forget them.
Bright also asked Collyer how the cell phone used to send most of the messages was lost.
The former chief says he was running errands in Halifax when he noticed it was missing.
Bright then asked Collyer about the alleged incident.
Collyer says he did spend the day driving the girl around but denied ever having any sexual contact with the alleged victim.
This afternoon Crown Attorney Roland Levesque questioned John Collyer about his cell phone going missing the day after he was informed he was being investigated.
Collyer responded it was a coincidence.
Levesque also questioned the former police chief about the inappropriate messages sent to the underage girl.
Collyer said when he is drinking his humour contains sexual innuendo.
He says he would’ve been drinking at the time the messages were sent and he acknowledges the comments were inappropriate.
However Collyer was quick to point out comments and actions are two different things and he would never behave in a sexual way towards any minor.
Testimony has now wrapped up and closing submissions will be made Wednesday morning.
Reported by: Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
