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Island man accused of abducting his daughter set to represent himself in trial

Cowichan Valley’s Jesse Bennett went missing for five months last year, court date set for June 5-9
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Jesse Bennett, accused of abducting his seven-year-old daughter last year, heads to court in June. (RCMP handout)

The trial of Cowichan’s Jesse Bennett, charged with abducting his young daughter last year, is set for June 5-9 at the Duncan courthouse.

Jury selection will take place the week before the trial.

Bennett intends to represent himself during the court proceedings.

Bennett is charged with abducting his seven-year-old daughter in January, 2022.

The father and daughter went missing for approximately three months, and Bennett became the subject of a Canada-wide arrest warrant.

The child was returned April 20, 2022.

Bennett was arrested without incident on May 24 during a routine traffic stop in Shawnigan Lake.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story erroneously stated that the father and daughter were reported as missing for more than five months, not three.

READ MORE: Vancouver Island man, accused of abducting his daughter, arrested



Robert Barron

About the Author: Robert Barron

Since 2016, I've had had the pleasure of working with our dedicated staff and community in the Cowichan Valley.
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