By Canadian Press

Weeks-long trial to begin in Calgary for man accused of kidnapping, sex assault

Jan 15, 2024 | 1:02 AM

CALGARY — A French-language trial for a man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting five women at a rural property east of Calgary is to begin today at the Alberta Court of Justice.

Richard Robert Mantha, 59, faces numerous charges that include kidnapping, forcible confinement, sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault causing bodily harm and administering a noxious substance.

He was denied bail last summer and has been in custody since he was arrested in April 2023.

Police have said the women allege they were approached by a man, then drugged and taken to another location, where they were physically and sexually assaulted.

A police spokeswoman confirmed last week that one of the five women recently died in an unrelated incident.

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Mantha was charged after officers cordoned off the rural property and brought in cadaver dogs, but police said at the time that no bodies were found.

The four-week trial is scheduled to run until Feb. 9.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 15, 2024.

The Canadian Press