According to media reports, former Sudbury area resident Dale Rancourt pleaded guilty to sexual assault on April 25.
The 51-year-old man, who performs as Klutzy the Clown, was arrested and charged in October of 2016.
The Espanola native was hit with one charge of sexual exploitation, one charge of sexual assault and two charges of sexual interference involving a girl who was 15-years-old at the time.
Rancourt had been performing as Klutzy the Clown in Cape Breton, N.S. for many years at birthday parties and other children’s events, as well as a variety of charitable fundraising events. He also performed in Sudbury in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
In November, 2016, Rancourt was denied bail. Following his October arrest, Rancourt was released on conditions after he posted a $20,000 bond secured by his house and property.
In early November, 2016, Rancourt was arrested for breaching two of those conditions, including being in a place where people under the age of 18 are usually present.
Rancourt is scheduled to be sentenced on May 31 in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Cases such as this can carry between a mandatory sentence of one year up to 14 years in prison.
