OTTAWA — A Mountie accused of severe, long-term abuse of his 11-year-old son says an RCMP psychiatrist suggested that he play down his history of constant nightmares when he underwent a psychological evaluation before entering the police force.
The man, who can't be named to protect the identity of his son, made the claim at the first day of testimony by defence witnesses at his trial.
The Mountie and his wife were charged in February 2013 in what Ottawa police described as one of the worst cases of abuse they had seen.
In court today, the man testified he suffered nightmares from his childhood in war-torn Lebanon.
He also says he was sexually abused as a child.
But the now-suspended officer says when he wrote in an RCMP entrance exam that he was having nightmares, a psychiatrist suggested that he take the test again, but alter his answer.
The parents each face a charge of aggravated assault, forcible confinement and failing to provide the necessaries of life.
The woman is also charged with assaulting the boy with a weapon, while the man faces other charges of sexual assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon.
