Ontario’s highest court has rejected a request for bail from former Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard, who is facing multiple sexual assault charges.
The Court of Appeal for Ontario dismissed Hoggard’s application for bail on Tuesday, upholding a previous decision made by a lower court.
Hoggard, 36, was seeking release from custody while he awaits trial on charges of sexual assault causing bodily harm and sexual interference. The charges stem from alleged incidents involving two women in 2016 and 2018.
In his application for bail, Hoggard argued that he should be released due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential for delays in his trial. He also claimed that he was not a flight risk and would abide by any conditions set by the court.
However, the Court of Appeal found that Hoggard’s arguments did not outweigh the seriousness of the charges against him and the potential harm to the public if he were to be released.
“The appellant is charged with serious offences that involve allegations of violence against women,” the court wrote in its decision. “The public has a strong interest in seeing that those who are charged with such offences are brought to trial in a timely manner.”
The court also noted that Hoggard had a history of breaching court orders and that there was evidence of him attempting to contact one of the alleged victims while in custody.
Hoggard’s trial is currently scheduled to begin in January 2022. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The former Hedley frontman rose to fame in the mid-2000s with hits such as “On My Own” and “Invincible.” The band announced an indefinite hiatus in 2018 following the allegations against Hoggard.
Hoggard remains in custody and his lawyer has not yet commented on the Court of Appeal’s decision.
