A Canadian rock star has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges in Ontario after allegedly strangling a teenager during an attack following one of his concerts.
Former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard has begun his trial for the attack that allegedly took place after the concert in Kirkland, Ontario, on June 25, 2016.
The woman told the court she was 19 when she met the singer, along with a small group of other girls, at an after-party.
The gang members, including Hoggard, allegedly lured the girls to a bonfire behind a local hotel and plied them with alcohol. According to the Toronto Star.
Former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges that allegedly took place in 2016.
The woman alleged that the rock star knew she did not consent to the sexual encounter that took place, including acts of vaginal penetration, attempted anal penetration, urination, strangulation and slapping.
The woman added that she had had between five and eight beers that night, and when the sun came up and the other girls began to leave, she tried to arrange a ride home before Hoggard told her to stay.
Under questioning by Crown prosecutor Peter Keen, she said she was told they would play some music and have a casual conversation.
“I trusted him, he seemed nice. I didn’t see anything unusual,” she added, also saying she remembered talking to Hoggard and taking a selfie with him at the camp.
The former frontman and the band took a group of fans, between five and seven young girls, to a camp after a concert in Kirkland, Ontario.
The trial began with opening testimony from the whistleblower and is expected to continue on Wednesday.
Crown prosecutor Lilly Gates told the jury the alleged victim is expected to describe the events that occurred in Hoggard’s hotel room that night.
Specifically, she is expected to testify that he called her a “pig” and also committed degrading sexual acts such as strangling her, slapping her and urinating on her, according to the Times Colonist.
Gates also said, according to the Toronto Star, that the woman is expected to testify that she “thought it would be great if Hoggard wanted to spend time with her alone.”
Superior Court Judge Robin Tremblay told jurors that Hoggard admits to having sexual contact with the woman and that the dispute is over the issue of consent.
The whistleblower’s testimony is expected to continue on Wednesday.
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