Hoggard takes stand in sex assault trial, denies that he raped complainant

By The Canadian Press on October 1, 2024.

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. – Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard denies that he raped the woman who is accusing him of sexual assault, or that he touched her sexually in any way without her consent.

Hoggard is on the stand in the northeastern Ontario community of Haileybury, where he pleaded not guilty in a criminal trial that began last week.

The lead singer of the band Hedley told a jury this morning that he and the complainant in the case had sex in nearby Kirkland Lake, Ont., after his band performed a show eight years ago.

During four days of emotional testimony last week, the woman, who was 19 years old at the time, accused Hoggard of raping, choking, slapping and urinating on her during the alleged assault.

Hoggard’s defence lawyer Megan Savard said in an opening statement this morning that she expects Hoggard will tell the jury there was no doubt in his mind that the encounter was consensual.

She says two crew members who worked the Hedley concert that night will also testify about the events leading up to the alleged assault, and she expects them to contradict the complainant’s story.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2024.