Jury begins deliberations in Jacob Hoggard’s sexual assault trial

By The Canadian Press on October 4, 2024.

Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard arrives at court for his sentencing hearing in Toronto on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The judge overseeing the sexual assault trial of Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard is expected to begin delivering his final instructions to a northeastern Ontario jury today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alex Lupul

HAILEYBURY, Ont. – Jurors have begun their deliberations in the sexual assault trial of Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard.

Hoggard, 40, has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in an incident alleged to have taken place on June 25, 2016 in Kirkland Lake, Ont.

Both the Crown and defence agree that a sexual encounter took place in Hoggard’s hotel room that night after a concert and bonfire after-party, meaning the case has centred on the question of consent.

The complainant, who was 19 at the time, says Hoggard raped, choked, hit and urinated on her, and called her names like “dirty little piggy.”

Hoggard says they had a consensual one-night stand after flirting and kissing during the night.

In his final instructions today, Ontario Superior Court Justice Robin Tremblay told jurors that in order to find Hoggard guilty, they must believe beyond a reasonable doubt that the complainant did not consent to the specific sexual activity she said occurred, and that Hoggard knew she did not consent.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2024.