The case against a former Belleville tattoo artist got underway on Wednesday.
It was a relatively quiet affair with only a few people in the courtroom as proceedings began.
To start the day, Hastings County Assistant Crown Attorney Lynn Ross requested Judge Stephen Hunter withdraw two of the charges against Kenneth Wayne Melvin.
Ross says the number of complainants has dropped from 18 to 16.
Melvin was in attendance at the Quinte Courthouse to hear the testimony being presented.
The 47 year-old was charged in April 2017 with a number of charges including sexual assault, committing an indecent act, assault with a weapon, unlawful confinement, sexual touching, uttering threats and criminal harassment.
Melvin conferred with lawyer Mike Pretsell on a few occasions as witnesses spoke and answered questions from Ross and Pretsell.
Judge Hunter heard from several witnesses in the case Wednesday with more to come on Friday.
Melvin operated Skin Graphix Tattooing and Piercing on Dundas Street East for a number of years. The shop has since closed.
