Former Snowbirds pilot charged with sexual assault testifies to clear his name

Warning: Details in this article may be upsetting to readers.

A former Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot accused of forcing himself on a colleague before an airshow in Barrie took the stand to clear his name in court on Monday.

Maj. Steven Hurlbut took the witness stand to tell the courtroom he never sexually touched or kissed the complainant on June 8, 2023.

Hurlbut said there was “no sexual contact” with the woman and denied several of her claims. He told the court the two shared drinks in the hotel bar earlier that night and said he later invited her to his room to talk and watch TV.

“I did not want to have sex with her” he testified. “I was genuinely concerned about her.”

While on the stand, Hurlbut described the complainant as frustrated and agitated with her role on the team. He said she seemed tired, upset, overworked, and unhappy.

He went on to tell the courtroom his colleague was feeling “left behind” because she wasn’t travelling with the Snowbirds, and denied her claim that he propositioned her.

The woman testified he hugged her and then kissed her cheek. She said he asked her a few times, “So, you wanna?”

Hurlbut testified that never happened, saying he never kissed or grabbed her. He told the court he touched her shoulder in an attempt to get her to open up to him, and that’s when she reminded him he was married.

He said he replied, “So are you.”

Hurlbut told the courtroom he gave her a hug good night and she left.

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The complainant said Hurlbut grabbed her and kissed her again and aggressively pulled her in before putting his tongue in her mouth and ear.

Again, Hurlbut denied that ever happening.

The accomplished combat and lead solo pilot with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds was charged after his colleague alleged sexual misconduct to military police.

The now 49-year-old pilot was removed from the air demonstration team once the allegations were reported and the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service laid the sexual assault charge.

The complainant’s identity is protected by a publication ban.

The trial is scheduled to resume next month.