Preliminary hearing starts for man charged with molesting boys

A preliminary inquiry has begun for a 64-year-old man accused ofsexually assaultingboys in several Nova Scotia communities decades ago.

The hearing for Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh started Tuesday in Port Hawkesbury.

MacIntosh has been charged with 43 sex-related offences for allegedly abusing nine young boys and teenagers in the 1970s and 1980s.

In June 2007, three RCMP officers escorted the former Canso Strait-area businessmanback to Nova Scotia from India,where he had been living for 13 years.

MacIntoshwas released from custodyin April after posting $60,000 cash bail, as well asagreeing to a curfew and other conditions.

The preliminary inquiry will determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to a trial.A publication ban has beenplaced on evidence that is presented.