- Quinte Consolidated Courthouse in Belleville. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Charges continue to pile up against a Belleville business man in connection with multiple reports of sexual assaults on customers at his tattoo parlour in the City and police say more are pending.
Forty-seven-year-old Kenneth Wayne Melvin is now facing 36 charges including 11 counts of sexual assault, two counts of committing an indecent act, one count of assault with a weapon, two counts of unlawful confinement, one count of sexual touching, one count of uttering threats and 18 counts of criminal harassment.
Melvin appeared for a bail hearing in person at the Quinte Consolidated Courthouse on Wednesday where in addition to the existing 32 charges against him, four more were laid. (one count of sexual assault, one count of uttering threats and two counts of criminal harassment).
Following the hearing, Justice Chris Peltzer released Melvin on bail with strict house arrest conditions under the supervision of three surities.
There is a publication ban on the case to protect the identity of the victims and evidence related to the alleged incidents.
Melvin has no previous criminal record and has operated Skin Graffix Tattooing and Piercing on Dundas Street East for many years. The shop has since closed.
He was charged in early April 2017, after a woman complained she had been sexually assaulted while receiving services. Melvin was also charged with committing an indecent act following the alleged March incident. He was then released from custody and after the case garnered much media attention more alleged victims came forward. Melvin was held in custody for almost two weeks before he was released again Wednesday.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with more information is asked to contact investigating officer, Det. Sgt. Brad Lentini or at (613) 966-0882 Ext. 2224 or by e-mail at blentini@police.belleville.on.
