Mother testifies in own defence at disturbing child abuse trial
WARNING: Some of the content in this article may be disturbing.
The mother involved in a shocking child abuse case in London, Ont. took the stand on Wednesday, denying that she ever harmed her children.
The mother, who is in her fifties, was emotional from time to time as she testified about her family life.
She said it was difficult to see her kids testify against her, “Hearing my children, they’re still my children no matter whatever mistakes they have done.”
When she was questioned by her lawyer Phil Millar about accusations of abuse and if she ever intentionally burned her kids on the stove, she said, “Never, ever, ever to any of my children would I have done that.”
She was asked by Millar, “Did you ever smash your children’s fingers and break them?”
“No never, not anywhere,” she answered.
Earlier in the day, the number of charges against the couple was reduced by the Crown.
The parents were originally charged with 47 counts and they now face 41 charges including, sexual assault with a weapon, incest, and forcible confinement.
The incidents are alleged to have happened between 2003 and 2020.
The mother and father, who cannot be identified, have both pleaded not guilty.
Later, when asked if she was ever involved in sexual activity with her children, she responded, “I wouldn’t fathom doing that to anyone…it did not happen, it would not happen.”
Before wrapping up for the day she said, “I love each and every one of my children.”
The mother’s testimony resumes on Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minnesota beats Boston 3-0, wins inaugural Walter Cup as Professional Women's Hockey League champs
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says US$18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.