The Crown closed its case against accused sexual predator Tony Humby yesterday, but not before citing incriminating messages between him and his now-convicted neighbour, Bruce Escott.

The text messages were read aloud in provincial court by an RNC investigator, and provide more disturbing insight into the mindset of the two elderly men.

They reference several of the alleged victims, discussing who was coming over when, if they were staying the night, and comparing them sexually, with one asking the other: “Do you want him after me?”

The back and forth was in the weeks leading up to the arrests of 65-year-old Humby, and 82-year-old Escott, who pleaded guilty and implicated Humby before being sentenced to 13 years.

With all Crown evidence now in, the defence plans just one witness, who’s due to testify on Friday.

That will be followed by final submissions to the judge, possibly next week, and the all-important Jordan application which could see some or all of Humby’s 70-plus charges thrown out.

No one disputes the case is beyond the 18-month limit to conclude, the question remains who’s more to blame for that.

That’ll be a decision for Judge Rolf Pritchard, and could prove tougher than the verdict itself.