A Nova Scotia man’s history of regular violence and threats against his common-law spouse has material bearing on charges that he trafficked her for sex, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled, overturning his acquittal and ordering a new trial.

The accused, identified only as T.J.F. in a recent ruling from the country’s top court, was in a relationship with J.D. from 2004 until 2012. He was acquitted at trial, a decision affirmed by the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal.