Opening arguments are expected to get underway today in the sexual assault trial of Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard. Justice Robin Tremblay, left to right, Assistant Crown Attorney Peter Keen, Crown Attorney Lilly Gates, Hoggard's lawyers Kally Ho, Megan Savard and Hoggard are shown in a courtroom sketch in Haileybury, Ont., Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould
HAILEYBURY, Ont. – The complainant in Jacob Hoggard’s sexual assault trial says she attended a concert by his band Hedley in Kirkland Lake, Ont., the night of the alleged assault in June 2016.
The woman said during brief testimony this afternoon that she was 19 years old at the time and attended an after-party with band members and other teen girls after the show.
The Crown and defence agree that the complainant, Hoggard, other band members and other members of the public attended a bonfire that night behind the Comfort Inn, where the band was staying.
An agreed statement of facts read out in court also established that Hoggard and the complainant had a sexual encounter in Hoggard’s hotel room, which prosecutors are seeking to prove was not consensual.
Hoggard has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault in the trial.
The Crown said in an opening statement that it expects the complainant to testify about an alleged assault that involved vaginal penetration, attempted anal penetration, choking and slapping.
Her testimony is expected to continue on Wednesday morning.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2024.
