Goohsen loses appeal

Former Tory MLA Jack Goohsen has lost the appeal of his conviction on a sex charge. Goohsen was given a four-month conditional sentence last June, after he was found guilty of buying sex from a 14 year-old prostitute.

The Crown argued that Goohsen picked up the girl and offered her money for sex. Goohsen testified that he was merely helping the girl after she flagged down his car and asked for a ride.

This morning, Goohsen's lawyer argued that the police had botched the investigation and that the trial judge erred when considering the evidence. After hearing the lawyer's arguments, the three appeal court justices took a break to consider the case, without hearing from the crown. They came back in about five minutes with their decision, upholding the lower court ruling.

Talking with reporters outside the courthouse, Goohsen, with his wife at his side, said he was hoping to have his name cleared.

"The justice system today was on trial and had its opportunity to correct the error that it made," Goohsen says. "It lost. And that tells me that we have some serious problems in our justice system and that we need to have a complete review of our justice system in his province."

Goohsen says he is still considering whether to appeal to the supreme court.

He served as the MLA for Cypress Hills for eight years. He resigned last year after he was convicted.