Trial dates have been set for a St. John’s man at the centre of an ongoing investigation into sexual assaults in the downtown area.

Fifty-eight-year-old Billy Howse was arrested this time last year after a young man said he was assaulted in a home on Barnes Road.

The RNC announced the arrest in a news release, saying the investigation was “active and ongoing,” and encouraging other potential victims to come forward.

Shortly thereafter another accuser did go to police, and additional sexual assault charges were laid in connection with another incident in the same home and on the same day as the first complaint.

There have also been other reports of allegations and investigations involving Howse dating back 20 years or more, though he was never charged.

Howse is currently free on bail awaiting a pre-trial conference in October to hash out legal issues and avoid delays.

His trial is set for four days in early December.