Warning: This story comprises disturbing particulars
Ontario Superior Court Justice Gillian Roberts will hand down her sentence Thursday morning within the sexual assault case involving Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard.
The Hedley frontman may very well be sentenced to up to 14 years in jail, nonetheless the Crown has indicated that they plan to ask for six to seven years of jail time.
Although, Hoggard might nonetheless stroll away no matter his jail sentence. He has since filed a Notice of Appeal, and after his sentencing, he’s anticipated to seem on the Ontario Court of Appeal, the place he’ll ask to be launched whereas the enchantment is being heard.
The third day of Hoggard’s sentencing listening to is about to get underway at 9 a.m. today on the University Avenue Courthouse.
The court docket initially met on Oct. 6 the place the sufferer, a lady from Ottawa whose identification can’t be revealed due to a publication ban, gave a robust impression assertion throughout which she shared that her life has been “shattered beyond recognition” by the assault. The sufferer is suing Hoggard for $2.8 million.
The listening to resumed for a second day on Oct. 14 through Zoom. That day, Hoggard was given the chance to say one thing earlier than being sentenced, however declined.
Jacob Hoggard is seen strolling right into a Toronto courtroom on Oct. 20, 2022 earlier than being sentenced for sexual assault.
Back in 2018, the singer was charged with two counts of sexual assault inflicting bodily hurt and one rely of sexual interference after allegedly violently and repeatedly raping two complainants, considered one of whom was a minor, in separate incidents within the fall of 2016. Prosecutors additionally alleged Hoggard additionally groped the lady after a Hedley live performance in April 2016 when she was 15.
He pleaded not responsible to all three counts.
On June 5, Hoggard was discovered responsible of 1 rely of sexual assault inflicting bodily hurt within the case involving the grownup girl, however was acquitted of the identical cost in connection along with his alleged involvement with a teenage fan.
At that point, he was additionally discovered not responsible of the sexual interference cost, which additionally pertained to interactions he allegedly had with the underage lady.
Prosecutors had requested that the court docket revoke Hoggard’s bail till he was sentenced.
Jacob Hoggard leaves court docket after being discovered responsible of 1 rely of sexual assault, in Toronto, Sunday, June 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Instead, the day after the decision, the choose selected to impose numerous strict bail situations on him because the “prospect of a prolonged jail time period considerably will increase the motivation to flee.” Roberts additionally cited the necessity to keep public confidence within the administration of justice in reaching that call.
Hoggard’s spouse Rebekah Asselstine, who’s considered one of two sureties who monitored his compliance along with his bail situations, pledged $200,000 for his bail.
Last March, Hoggard, who was born and raised in B.C.’s Lower Mainland, was charged with sexual assault inflicting bodily hurt in reference to one other unrelated incident that reportedly occurred on June 25, 2016 in Kirkland Lake, Ont. He has denied the allegation and stated via his lawyer that he intends to plead not responsible.
A judicial pre-trial was held at a northeastern Ontario court docket on Oct. 17. Another look has been scheduled for Oct. 27.