HRP release:

Police are concerned that a man recently convicted of sexual assault in Nova Scotia may have had additional victims.

In October 2022, a woman provided a statement to Meteghan RCMP disclosing a historical sexual assault that occurred in 2010 in both Halifax and Yarmouth. The victim was a youth at the time of the offence.

The Integrated HRP/RCMP Sexual Assault Investigative Team launched an investigation and on September 6th, 2024 , Bruce Douglas Hatfield, 60 was arrested. Hatfield was charged with sexual assault and sexual interference and in December 2025, he was found guilty on both charges. He remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court for sentencing in March 2026.

During the trial, witness testimony suggested that Hatfield had made trips between Yarmouth and Halifax with other young women. Investigators are concerned that there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.

There is no statute of limitations for sexual assault in Canada. Police encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault—regardless of when the incident occurred—to contact investigators. Victims will be treated with compassion, dignity, and respect throughout the investigative process.