An Ontario woman who was sexually assaulted by former Hedley singer Jacob Hoggard said Thursday her life was “shattered beyond recognition.”
The woman, whose identity cannot be revealed due to a publication ban, spoke at a sentencing hearing for the singer, CTV News reported Thursday.
“Before November 22, 2016, I was a different person. I was never the same following that day, she said. A part of me died that day that I will never find. My life as I knew it was stolen from me and shattered beyond recognition. The assault took away my value, my intimacy, my body, my confidence and my voice.”
As a reminder, Jacob Hoggard was convicted in June of sexual assault causing bodily harm in this case.
In her statement, the Ottawa woman explained that she chose to appear in court without the support of anyone close to her because she “mightn’t bear to see them suffer more than they already have. “.
The woman went on to say that “the months following the attack were the loneliest and darkest days of [sa] vie».
“I walked away from everything I loved,” she said. I lost important job opportunities at work. I missed important moments with my loved ones that I will never find once more. I think that’s what hurts me the most. I disconnected from everyone I loved. The isolation was sometimes unbearable.”
The attacker’s sentencing hearing took an unexpected turn on Thursday morning as his attorney raised issues with the evidence in a forensic psychiatry report that names some of his sexual partners.
A follow-up hearing is scheduled for October 14 starting at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Mr. Hoggard will have an opportunity to speak at that time.
