Closing arguments begin in ex-Hedley singer Jacob Hoggard’s sexual assault trial

By The Canadian Press on October 3, 2024.

HAILEYBURY, Ont. – Closing arguments have begun in the sexual assault trial of Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard.

Defence lawyer Megan Savard is telling a northeastern Ontario jury this morning that Hoggard did not rape the complainant or touch her without her consent, but rather had a consensual one-night stand with her about eight years ago.

Savard alleges the complainant falsely accused the singer to justify her pain and gain sympathy from those around her after realizing she wasn’t special to him beyond their encounter.

The Crown is expected to make its closing submissions later today.

Both Hoggard and his accuser took the stand in the trial, offering starkly different accounts of a June 2016 encounter in Kirkland Lake, Ont.

The Crown and defence agree that a sexual encounter took place in the Hedley singer’s hotel room following the band’s concert and a bonfire after-party, but prosecutors are seeking to prove it wasn’t consensual.

The complainant says Hoggard raped, choked and hit her, and called her names like “dirty little piggy.”

Hoggard says they flirted all night, then had a consensual one-night stand.

The complainant’s identity is protected under a standard publication ban.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2024.

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