Ex-Hedley singer Jacob Hoggard concludes his testimony in sexual assault trial

By The Canadian Press on October 2, 2024.

HAILEYBURY, Ont. – Jacob Hoggard wrapped up his time on the stand in his sexual assault trial this morning after the Crown cross-examined him on apparent gaps in his memory.

Hoggard has pleaded not guilty and says he did not rape, choke or hit his accuser after his band Hedley’s concert eight years ago, or call her names during the encounter as she alleges.

Prosecutor Peter Keen tried to poke holes in Hoggard’s description of a consensual one-night stand, establishing that the musician doesn’t have a clear memory of the beginning of the sexual activity or whether he may have asked to urinate on the complainant.

The woman has described feeling disgusted when Hoggard allegedly urinated on her in the shower following the alleged rape; Hoggard has said the opposite happened, that he asked her to urinate on him and she did so.

Defence lawyer Megan Savard objected in court this morning as Keen attempted to establish the urination as in keeping with “coercive” sexual acts, with Savard saying the questions would be offensive to any person with a “fringe sexual practice.”

Savard is expected to call two more witnesses as part of Hoggard’s defence, both members of the crew who worked the Hedley concert on the night in question.

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

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