Closing arguments begin in Doreze Beals human trafficking case

Closing arguments began Thursday in the case of a North Preston man on trial on human trafficking charges.

Doreze Beals, 19, is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl and threatening to force her into prostitution in April 2014.

In December, the girl testified in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax that she escaped from a house on Clarence Street in North Preston, where she was held in a cellar against her will and sexually assaulted.

She told the court that Beals grabbed her by the hair and arm, forcing her into the cellar through a trapdoor. She said Beals told her she would go to Toronto, which she said meant she would be forced into prostitution.

Last month, Beals told a different version of what happened. He said he barely knew the girl, having only spoken briefly with her via Facebook and text messages.

He testified that he and the girl were alone at his house that day when his mother arrived. Beals said the girl asked to be hidden in the basement because she was terrified of her mother.

At the start of Thursday's hearing, the Crown announced it was reducing one of the charges against Beals. He was charged with aggravated sexual assault. The charge is now one of sexual assault.

Beals' attorney, Laura McCarthy, took more than two hours to present her closing arguments. Justice Glen McDougall decided to postpone the Crown's arguments until Friday.

Another man, Andre Gray, 19, pleaded guilty in the case. His sentencing was delayed because the Beals trial dragged on longer than expected.

CBC's Blair Rhodes was blogging live from court.