Photo: The Canadian Press

A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has rejected an attempt by Vancouver Rape Relief to argue that a man acquitted of sexual assault after nearly three decades behind bars is actually guilty.

The support group applied for legal standing to appoint a lawyer who could question Ivan Henry's "factual innocence" during his trial for compensation against the provincial government.

This would have involved calling the women to testify who still claim they were sexually assaulted by Henry in the 1980s.

But Justice Christopher Hinkson says the question of Henry's guilt was already settled when the B.C. Court of Appeal acquitted him of sexual assaults against eight women after he spent 27 years in prison.

Vancouver Rape Relief spokeswoman Louisa Russell says she's disappointed with the court's decision and insists the alleged victims will find other avenues to have their voices heard.

Both the federal government and the City of Vancouver were also named in Henry's lawsuit, but they have since reached separate settlement agreements with Henry.