N.B. clergyman faces sex charges

PLASTER ROCK, N.B. (CP) — A promi­nent New Brunswick clergyman and former political candidate faces charg­es for alleged sex crimes dating back more than three decades.

Fred Douglas Hanson, 59, of Some­rville, has stepped down as moderator of the Atlantic Canada Association of Free Will Baptists and relinquished his post as pastor of the Plaster Rock Free Will Baptist Church.

The charges were filed simultaneous­ly in courts in Grand Falls and Wood­stock earlier this week.

RCMP say they include sexual as­sault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation and involve multiple com­plainants, some of whom were children at the time of the alleged offences.

Hanson ran unsuccessfully for the provincial Conservatives in 1995 but cut ties with the party after failing to secure a candidacy in 1998.