Attempts to withdraw their guilty pleas were unsuccessful for two Regina women awaiting sentencing in a case of child abuse that goes back two years.
The women, who are 39 and 57, were initially arrested in January of 2013 and were each charged with 22 crimes including sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm and child pornography charges. The victims, two girls, were aged 10 and 11 at the time.
The woman been in custody ever since they were arrested two years ago and have been in an out of courtrooms several times with different lawyers and different pleas.
In October of 2013, they entered guilty pleas to numerous charges, but when their sentencing hearing began in December of 2013, they attempted to withdraw their guilty pleas.
After that happened, their lawyers withdrew.
The case was back in Regina Provincial Court this morning where a judge denied their application to expunge their guilty pleas. Sentencing has been set for March 13.
Several items — including a hammer, frying plan, extension cord and a high-heeled shoe — were said to have been used in the assaults which occurred between January 1 and 18 of 2013.
The names of the two accused can not be published in order to protect the identities of the victims.
In addition to Regina police, Social Services and the Internet Child Exploitation unit were involved in the investigation.