Hearing begins for man accused of sexual assaults

A preliminary hearing is continuing in St. John's on Thursday for a man accused of sexually assaultingtwo underagegirls.

Police allege Christopher Butt, 39, assaulted one of the girls under the age of 16over several weeks in 2014. While the other case is alleged to have began in May 2007.

• Alleged sex assaults over 6 weeks leads to charges

Butt is facing two counts of invitation to sexual touching, two charges of sexual interference, uttering threats to damage or destroy property, unlawfully committing sexual exploitation andsexual assault.

He is also accused of aggravated sexual assault, which would imply a greater level of violence.

According to previous reports from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, Butt was known to one of the victims.

He has a criminal history from western and central Newfoundland, dating back 20 years.