New Westminster recovery services contractor convicted of sexual assaults

A former recovery services contractor in New Westminster was convicted of two counts of sexual assault on Wednesday, the BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) confirms.

Adam Haber was arrested and initially charged with three counts of sexual assault in May 2023 after an investigation was launched that year “connected to an individual employed by an organization offering substance use recovery services.”

The investigation was opened after an anonymous Facebook group was started in January 2023 by people who outlined allegations against a contractor with connections to the Last Door Recovery Centre and Westminster House in New Westminster.

Posts in the group suggested predatory behaviour from the individual accused of targeting people who were recovering from drug addiction.

Police said at the time that 11 alleged victims had come forward, adding they “gained the courage to come forward after sharing their experiences and connecting with one another on social media.” It’s believed there were additional people who have not shared their stories.

“Obviously this is a lengthy investigation,” said Sgt. Andrew Leaver in January 2023. “It’s widely known that sexual assault is underreported. It’s an offence that’s difficult to talk about, which is why we’re trying to remove those barriers for victims and survivors to come speak with us, even though it has been a significant amount of time that’s passed since maybe some of the allegations were made.”

On Thursday, the BCPS confirmed the ruling by the courts against Haber.

“The sexual assault against one victim occurred from April 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012, and the sexual assault against the other victim occurred on July 5, 2012. Both offences occurred in New Westminster,” the BCPS said in a statement.

The BCPS says Haber’s next court date is scheduled for March 6 to fix a date for sentencing.

With files from Sonia Aslam, Kier Junos, and Greg Bowman.