Trial against former Woodstock mayor, Trevor Birtch, continues
The trial of former Woodstock mayor, Trevor Birtch, continued on Friday.
Disclaimer: Contents of this article may be disturbing. Reader’s discretion is advised.
Assistant Crown, Jennifer Moser, continued her examination of the complainant by asking, “how often do you believe you were forced to have unwanted sexual intercourse with Mr. Birtch?”
“To be perfectly honest with you, once a week,” said the complainant, who remains anonymous under a court order.
The woman claimed the Woodstock police didn’t listen to her and there was a lot of substance abuse during their relationship, but couldn’t remember specific dates.
She testified that she was called in by the Woodstock police because of a criminal harassment complaint filed against her by Birtch.
The woman was never charged, but ordered not to talk to several different people, including an ex-friend of the former mayor, who also testified in court. She said she was also ordered not to talk to a victim in a separate case against Birtch, who was found guilty of sexual assault last month.
The complainant said she reached out to that woman because they were both in a relationship with him at the same time.
“She was going through abuse too,” she said. “I wanted her to know I was too. I want her to know that he’s lying to her, that stuff he’s putting her through was mentally abusive.”
Defence lawyer, James Battin began cross-examination by going over the allegations from April 5. The complainant alleges she was sexually assaulted by Birtch at Turkey Point.
Battin suggested her recollection was inaccurate and that there was no alcohol or drug use that day. He continued, suggesting Birtch tried to help her after her altercation with a homeless man.
The complainant disagreed.
The trial will continue on Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
TD Bank hit with record US$3 billion fine over drug cartel money laundering
TD Bank will pay US$3 billion to settle charges that it failed to properly monitor money laundering by drug cartels, regulators announced Thursday.
DEVELOPING Live updates: Millions without power amid path of destruction left by Hurricane Milton
Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night, causing widespread destruction and immobilizing critical infrastructure. The extent of the damage is not yet known.
Fisher-Price infant swings recalled in Canada after 5 deaths reported
Several models of Fisher-Price infant swings have been recalled in Canada after the company received reports of fatalities link to affected products.
'The View' co-hosts come out swinging at Donald Trump a day after he insulted them
The hosts of ABC's 'The View' clapped back at Donald Trump on Thursday, a day after the Republican nominee for president insulted co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Whoopi Goldberg.
Poilievre says 'other ways' to address affordability for seniors than Bloc's proposed pension boost
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says that while his party backed a Bloc Quebecois motion seeking money to boost seniors' benefits, he thinks there are 'other ways' to address affordability for older Canadians.
Ethel Kennedy, social activist and wife of Robert F. Kennedy, has died
Ethel Kennedy, the wife of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy who raised their 11 children after he was assassinated and remained dedicated to social causes and the family’s legacy for decades thereafter, died on Thursday, her family said. She was 96.
Video shows violent robbery north of Toronto, suspects make off with suitcase full of cash: police
Police north of Toronto have released video of what they’re describing as a violent, targeted robbery in Thornhill, where suspects boxed in the victim’s car and made off with a suitcase filled with cash.
Air Canada pilots vote in favour of new contract, dousing strike fears
Air Canada pilots have given a green light to a tentative agreement with the airline, easing any fears of a future strike.
B.C. candidate apologizes for 'unacceptable' comments about Muslims, Palestinians
One of the B.C. Conservative candidates running in the province's second-largest city has apologized for "completely unacceptable" comments he made about Muslims and Palestinians.