A Vancouver Provincial Court judge has issued a warrant for a man who disappeared while facing historical sex charges alleged to have occurred in the 1980s.
Court documents said Edward Hughes, 61, is charged with sexual and indecent assault of an individual identified only by their initials.
The sexual assault is alleged to have taken place between Jan. 4, 1983, and Dec. 31, 1984.
The indecent assault is alleged to have taken place between Feb. 2, 1981 and Jan. 3, 1983.
Hughes's lawyer told Judge Reginald Harris that his client “disappeared some time ago.”
Hughes was released on bail Nov. 16, 2023. He was being held in Vancouver cells at the time of release.
He was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim and told to go to no places where people under 18 could be expected to be present.
The case is due back in court Oct. 29.