A Canadian rock star has pleaded not guilty to sexual abuse charges in Ontario after he allegedly strangled a teenager in a degrading sexual assault following one of his concerts.
Former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard has begun his trial for the assault that allegedly occurred after the concert in Kirkland, Ontario on June 25, 2016.
The woman claimed in court that she was 19 years old when she met the singer, along with a small group of other girls, at an afterparty.
The band members, including Hoggard, allegedly lured the girls to a campfire behind a local hotel and brought them alcohol. according to the Toronto Star.
Former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault allegations that allegedly occurred in 2016
The woman alleged that the rock star knew she had not consented to the sexual encounter that took place, which included acts of vaginal penetration, attempted anal penetration, urination, strangulation and beating
The woman added that she had consumed about five to eight beers that evening and that when the sun came up and the other girls left, she tried to get a ride home before Hoggard told her to stay.
When questioned by prosecutor Peter Keen, the girl stated she was told they would put on some music and have a casual conversation.
“I trusted him, I liked him. I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary,” she added, saying she remembered talking to Hoggard and taking a selfie with him at the campsite.
The former frontman and band took a group of fans, consisting of five to seven young girls, to a campsite after a concert in Kirkland, Ontario
The trial began with the prosecution’s opening testimony and is expected to continue on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Lilly Gates told the jury that the alleged victim is expected to describe the events that happened in Hoggard’s hotel room that night.
According to the Times Colonist, she is expected to testify that he called her a “pig” and performed degrading sexual acts, including choking, hitting and urinating on her.
Gates also said, the Toronto Star reported, that the woman is expected to testify that she “would have thought it was cool if Hoggard wanted to be alone with her for a while.”
District Court Judge Robin Tremblay told the jury that Hoggard admitted having sexual contact with the woman, and that the dispute was about consent.
The prosecution’s testimony is expected to continue on Wednesday.