CLEARFIELD – A man accused of a number of sex crimes against two pre-school aged girls had a preliminary hearing Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge James Hawkins.
Lester Middlesworth Jr., Frenchville, is charged with two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, two counts of statutory sexual assault, and two counts of indecent assault.
The two girls, sisters, took the stand and related what they remembered about the event, which happened eight years ago. At the time, Middlesworth was 15.
Both girls testified that Middlesworth would come over to their house commit inappropriate acts while their parents were either home or away. One girl said the events happened in either spring or late summer, while the other girl said they occurred in fall. Both girls remembered the time of year as “warm but chilly.”
One sister figured the events took place in 1998 or 1999.
Both testified as to events that took place both in the house and once outside when their dog ran away. According to the affidavit of probable cause, one girl told police this incident took place two or three days after a New Years eve party.
While the girls never told their mother what happened originally, it was when one of the girls was at bingo with her mother when she saw Middlesworth enter the bingo hall. The girl froze up and eventually told her mother what happened.
At the outset of the hearing, Middlesworth’s attorney Bruce Manchester made a motion to dismiss the case, and argued the case should be heard in the court of common pleas. Leanne Nedza, assistant district attorney, argued that the charges were filed recently, not when Middlesworth was a juvenile. The motion was denied.
Judge Hawkins held all charges to court, and ordered Middlesworth to have no contact with the girls or their family. Bail was set at $50,000 unsecured.