A surprise guilty plea from Bill Mates. The 59-year-old former Director of Economic Development for the town of Ingersoll has admitted to sexually exploiting an underage girl. The guilty plea was a stunner, as Mates was expected to fight the accusation with a 2-week trial starting on Monday. But Mates admitted guilt in a London courtroom today to a sexual encounter with a girl who was 17-years-old at the time. It happened on a train ride in Kenya during a trip for high achieving youth. Mates was a field officer for the group, and the girl, who has been identified as now 23-year-old Anne Kneale was a student on that trip. Mates will have a sentencing hearing set on May 10th. He was let go from the town of Ingersoll back in November in what's been described as a forced resignation.

Woodstock Bowler Heading to Special Olympics
Dog Bite Investigation in Tillsonburg
Interview with the Warden - January 29th, 2026
Trevor Birtch Trial Daily Recap - Case 2
11 People Charged in Massive Drug Bust
Another Cold Warning for Oxford County
Chilly Charlie Returns on Monday
Khanna Shines a Light on Oxford County Superstars
WFD Responds to Structure Fire
WPS Appoints New Deputy Chief
TMMC Woodstock Begins Production of Sixth Gen RAV4
Oxford OPP Briefs - January 28th, 2026
More Weather Alerts for Oxford County
Thrive Oxford Honoured at ROMA
Tip Tuesday with the Oxford OPP - January 2026
Members Needed for Tillsonburg Housing Advisory Committee
UPDATE: Ottawa Approves Plan to Move Marineland's Whales and Dolphins
Over 200 Collisions Reported in West Region
Another Day of Bus Cancellations in Oxford
UPDATE: Environment Canada Issues Cold Warning