Jacob Hoggard trial pushed back to 2022 because of COVID-19

The trial of Jacob Hoggard, frontman for the Canadian band Hedley, has been pushed back to next year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hoggard, who pleaded not guilty at his preliminary hearing to sexual assault causing bodily harm and sexual interference, was initially set to be tried in Toronto this month.

A new trial date was then set for April, but now been postponed further to Jan. 3, 2022.

Hoggard has opted to be tried by a jury. New jury trials in Ontario have been put on hold until at least May to limit the spread of the virus.

The singer was arrested and charged in 2018 in connection with alleged incidents involving a woman and a teenager. The complainants cannot be identified due to a publication ban.

Earlier that year, allegations surfaced suggesting Hoggard had inappropriate encounters with young fans. Police launched an investigation as a result of those allegations.

Toronto police said the charges stem from three separate incidents involving two  complainants — an adult woman and a girl under the age of 16.

The incidents allegedly took place in the Toronto area in 2016.

In a statement issued months before his arrest, Hoggard acknowledged he had behaved in a way that “objectified” women but denied engaging in any non-consensual sexual conduct.

Meanwhile, Hedley has been on an indefinite hiatus since March 2018. The band was also dropped by its management team and banned by multiple radio stations following the
allegations.