A man accused of pimping his stepdaughter has told a Penticton courtroom he was trying to protect her, and he never forced her into the sex trade.
The man, who cannot be identified to protect the teenage victim, faces 10 charges. They include sexual interference with a person younger than 14, and two counts of living on the avails of prostitution.
He testified as his provincial court trial resumed after a six-week break.
The man told the judge he sold heroin, cocaine and marijuana in Penticton and would negotiate prices between his stepdaughter and johns, but he denied accusations of sexual abuse.
A man who ran as a fringe candidate for mayor in Penticton pleaded guilty in June to obtaining sexual services from the girl.
A sentencing date for 68-year-old Benny Wolfe is expected to be set after a pre-sentence report.
