Second trial against former Woodstock Mayor begins in London courtroom
Woodstock’s disgraced former mayor Trevor Birtch walked inside the London courthouse Tuesday to face three new charges of sexual assault involving one woman whose identity is protected under a court order.
The three counts date back to August 2021, April 2022, and the third is for alleged acts between January 2017 and April 2022.
Assistant crown attorney Jennifer Moser said the allegations are of unwanted sexual intercourse
The court heard that Birtch will be testifying during the four-day judge-alone trial.
The first witness called up to the stand today was London Police Special Constable Kim Seward who works in the digital forensics unit.
Seward testified that she obtained a cell phone from an address in Woodstock, and using digital forensic tools, she extracted Facebook messenger texts and audio recordings between Birtch and a woman who is friends with the complainant.
That woman was the second witness, who testified via zoom today. She said she was an acquaintance of Trevor Birtch during his term as Mayor of Woodstock and provided police with message exchanges between the two of them - after becoming concerned.
"These messages were the last straw [she said] and they just made me so sick. I just couldn’t do it anymore. I originally thought the benefits outweighed what I was having to listen to.”
Former Woodstock Mayor Trevor Birtch leaving the London Courthouse, September 3, 2024 (Reta Ismail/CTV News London)
When asked by Assistant Crown Moser what benefits she was referring to, the woman said, "I did a lot of outreach work and it was helpful to have the mayor show up with you, have doors open and be able to help the community."
The trial is scheduled to resume Thursday, with defence lawyer James Battin set to cross examine the complainant’s friend who exchanged the text and audio messages with Birtch, in which Moser said that Birtch confesses to the sexual activity.
Last month, the 49 year old was found guilty on two separate charges of assault and sexual assault involving another woman. He will be sentenced for those charges on September 10.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
Harm reduction advocates hope high court will 'clarify' Canada's 'Good Samaritan' law
Canada's Good Samaritan law, which is meant to shield people from arrest after they seek help for someone in medical distress, is under spotlight in the Supreme Court of Canada.
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford to speak in Toronto
Premier Doug Ford is set to speak in Toronto on Tuesday morning, after addressing early Ontario election rumours a day earlier.
Queen Elizabeth II wasn't told about Soviet spy in her palace, declassified MI5 files show
Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t told details of her long-time art adviser's double life as a Soviet spy because palace officials didn’t want to add to her worries, newly declassified documents reveal.
Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages, officials say
Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, two officials involved in the talks said Tuesday. Mediator Qatar said the negotiations were at the “closest point” yet to sealing a deal.
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, visits hospital where she had cancer treatment
Kate, Princess of Wales, visited a London hospital on Tuesday where she underwent cancer treatment last year to personally thank medics there for their care and support, her office said.
Strong winds forecast for Los Angeles threaten area's fight against fires
Additional water tankers and scores of firefighters have arrived at the Los Angeles area ahead of fierce winds that were forecast to return and threaten the progress made so far on two massive infernos that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.
Icelandic discount carrier Play Airlines pulls out of Canada, leaving customers in dark
Play Airlines is pulling out of Canada less than two years after entering the market.
Kitchener
-
Toronto man wanted in connection to shooting at Waterloo business
Jalen Belle-McCormack, 20, from Toronto, is currently wanted on a warrant in connection to a shooting at a Waterloo business on May 18, 2024.
-
WRPS investigating 'serious' 2-vehicle collision in Cambridge, charges anticipated
Police say they were called to the area of Blair Road and Langdon Drive around 9:15 p.m. Monday for reports of a collision between a white Volkswagen and an orange Dodge.
-
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
Barrie
-
Snow squall watches and warnings abound across central Ontario
Northern areas of central Ontario could see up to 60 centimetres of snow today.
-
School bus cancellations across central Ontario
Several school boards have cancelled school transportation in areas expected to feel the worst of the snowstorm.
-
Another historical sexual assault charge laid against Beeton, Ont. man
A Beeton man is facing another count of sexual assault following an investigation by provincial police.
Windsor
-
Vigil shines light on 26-year-old’s disappearance
Co-workers and customers gathered outside the workplace of a missing 26-year-old woman Monday evening to bring light to her disappearance.
-
Chatham to Lakeshore transmission line completed a head of schedule
The Ontario government and Hydro One announced on Monday that the construction on the Chatham to Lakeshore transmission line had been completed one year ahead of schedule.
-
Class action lawsuit nears $7.3 million settlement for Westcourt Place tenants
A class action lawsuit filed by Windsor law firm Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP is nearing the finish line and a $7.3 million payout for its members following a fire that has left the Wescourt Place highrise vacant for more than five years.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury’s speed cameras will move this month
Sudbury’s automated speed enforcement cameras are moving to new locations this month.
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
-
Lone sailor trapped in ice sparks concern in Southern Georgian Bay
A lone sailor living on a sailboat trapped in the Georgian Bay ice has sparked concern among Penetanguishene residents.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Three taken to hospital after residential fire in the Sault
A fire Monday morning in Sault Ste. Marie sent three people to hospital and caused significant smoke and fire damage.
-
Mayor of Huron Shores, Ont., resigns
Council in the Municipality of Huron Shores will meet this week to declare the office of the mayor officially vacant. The move comes after Mayor Matthew Seabrook resigned Jan. 8.
-
Impaired drivers end up in the ditch in northwestern Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police in Atikokan say that within the last week, they investigated two impaired drivers who drove into the ditch in their community.
Ottawa
-
16 per cent of all photo radar, red light camera tickets in Ottawa issued on a 1 km stretch of road
King Edward Avenue is the hot spot for photo radar and red light camera tickets, with 16 per cent of all camera-related traffic tickets in Ottawa issued to drivers on a one-kilometre stretch of the road in Lowertown.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING Lack of chargers a top concern for EV owners, but most would still buy another: CAA
A new survey of thousands of electric vehicle (EV) owners suggests that a lack of accessible charging stations is their main concern, but most would still buy another when the time comes.
-
Highway 17 closed between Pembroke and Cobden following Tuesday morning fatal crash
Ontario Provincial Police say emergency crews responded to a collision on the highway between County Road 24/White Water Road in Pembroke and Main Street in Cobden before 4 a.m.
Toronto
-
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
-
Toronto feels like -18 this morning as city in the grips of cold snap
Toronto residents are in for a frigid start this morning with the temperature feeling like -18.
-
Man allegedly posed as investment broker, contractor to defraud victims: Toronto police
Toronto police say an arrest has been made after a man allegedly posed as both an investment broker and contractor to defraud multiple victims.
Montreal
-
'Everybody's stunned': Ottawa abruptly pauses electric vehicle rebate program
The federal government has abruptly paused its electric vehicle rebate program.
-
Major crash in St-Hubert leaves teen in critical condition
Longueuil police (SPAL) are investigating after a collision left a young man in critical in the Saint-Hubert borough on Monday night.
-
Woman stabbed in Montreal's Plateau, police investigating
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating after a woman was stabbed in the Plateau.
Atlantic
-
Lower Sackville man shaken after house fire claims life of six-year-old girl
A Nova Scotia man is left shaken after his neighbour's home in Lower Sackville, N.S., caught fire over the weekend and claimed the life of a child.
-
'I want answers': SPCA removes dead dogs from front porch of New Brunswick home
The New Brunswick SPCA is investigating after the bodies of four dogs were removed from the front porch of a home in Bass River, N.B., Monday morning.
-
Friend of fatally stabbed Halifax teen changes his testimony in youth court
The trial for a Halifax-area youth accused of participating in the fatal stabbing last year of a 16-year-old student heard Monday from one of the victim's close friends.
Winnipeg
-
Murder trial begins for Manitoba man accused of running down, shooting neighbour
A trial has started for a Manitoba man accused of running down and shooting his neighbour before fleeing the province.
-
Survey: Nearly half in Manitoba, Saskatchewan on the financial brink
A new MNP consumer debt report done by Ipsos said in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, nearly half, 49 per cent of people, say they are $200 or less away from not being able to pay their bills or their debt payments at the end of the month.
-
Arrest made in Portage la Prairie double homicide: RCMP
Manitoba RCMP has made an arrest in connection with a double homicide in Portage la Prairie, Man., last month.
Calgary
-
Public hearing for Grassy Mountain coal mine resumes
A public hearing for the controversial Grassy Mountain coal mining project will resume in Calgary on Tuesday.
-
Calgary councillor won't seek re-election in October
Evan Spencer, councillor for Calgary's Ward 12, will not be running for re-election later this year.
-
Former PM Harper says he has 'a real problem' with recent Trump rhetoric
Former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper is weighing in on recent rhetoric, calling U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's issues with this country "out of sync."
Edmonton
-
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
-
Strong winds forecast for Los Angeles threaten area's fight against fires
Additional water tankers and scores of firefighters have arrived at the Los Angeles area ahead of fierce winds that were forecast to return and threaten the progress made so far on two massive infernos that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.
-
Oilers' Skinner bounces back with superb effort, shutout against Kings
It was a game that had a playoff vibe and Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner answered the bell accordingly.
Regina
-
Former Regina mayoral candidate Nathaniel Hewton released with conditions
Nathaniel Hewton, a mayoral candidate in the 2024 Regina civic election has been released from custody with several conditions in place.
-
Keith Urban announces fall concert stops in Regina and Saskatoon
Country music star Keith Urban will be performing two shows in Saskatchewan as part of his upcoming 'High and Alive World Tour.'
-
'Exploring all options': Leaders in Sask. look to next steps as tariffs look likely
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says tariffs are coming and that its time to prepare - which has led to discussions in Saskatchewan over next steps.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. teen who allegedly set classmate on fire scheduled to plea next month
A teen girl who allegedly set her classmate on fire is set to make a plea at Saskatoon Provincial Court next month.
-
Three dead after two separate crashes on Highway 7 west of Saskatoon
Three people are dead following two separate multi-vehicle collisions on a small stretch of Highway 7 on Sunday.
-
Keith Urban announces fall concert stops in Regina and Saskatoon
Country music star Keith Urban will be performing two shows in Saskatchewan as part of his upcoming 'High and Alive World Tour.'
Vancouver
-
'No stone will be left unturned’ B.C. assembles team to fight Trump tariffs
The provincial government is assembling a group of business and labour leaders to strategize the best way to deal with looming tariffs threats from president-elect Donald Trump.
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
-
B.C. Conservatives want RCMP to investigate alleged voting irregularities
The B.C. Conservatives are ratcheting up claims there were "voting irregularities" in a pivotal riding – demanding an "urgent RCMP investigation" into the party's allegations.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. Conservatives want RCMP to investigate alleged voting irregularities
The B.C. Conservatives are ratcheting up claims there were "voting irregularities" in a pivotal riding – demanding an "urgent RCMP investigation" into the party's allegations.
-
Poilievre visits B.C. as poll shows Conservative support growing in the province
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre began a weeklong tour of British Columbia on Monday, where recent polling suggests support for his party continues to grow.
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
