Paul Sadlon, 89, stands trial accused of sexual assault
Warning: Some readers may find the contents of this article triggering and/or disturbing.
Barrie businessman Paul Sadlon, 89, walked alongside his lawyer into a courtroom to stand trial on Monday, accused of sexually assaulting a woman following a business meeting nearly three years ago.
The Sadlon family is well-known in the Barrie area. Paul Sadlon has owned car dealerships in Barrie and Bradford for more than 50 years.
The automotive dealer was arrested a week before Christmas in 2019 for allegedly forcing himself on a woman whose identity is protected by a publication ban.
During her testimony, the woman told the court Sadlon made a lewd remark during the meeting while placing his hand on her arm.
She alleged Sadlon's vulgar remark suggested he wanted "another pussy around the house to pet."
She testified that after the meeting ended and they were alone in the room, he hugged her, kissed her cheek and tried to put his tongue in her mouth against her will.
While hugging her, she said that he pressed his pelvis against hers and began moaning. She told the court he then grabbed her breast and she said, "Paul, you can't do that."
She said he then moved his hand away, so she turned her body and testified Sadlon then cupped her other breast from behind.
The complainant told the court she felt violated and shocked by the interaction.
She said after the encounter Sadlon didn't say a word.
In court on Monday, Sadlon appeared slow and frail, and remained silent throughout the proceedings.
At one point, during witness testimony, Sadlon, who turns 90 in November, started coughing uncontrollably. His family says he has a lung infection and requires the use of his puffer.
During cross examination, the defence suggested to the witness that Sadlon wanted to end their business relationship and claimed the woman told him, "You'll be sorry."
She disagreed with the defence's suggestions.
Sadlon's defence lawyer, Francesca Yaskiel, rejected the woman's sexual assault claims, saying, "I'm going to suggest to you absolutely nothing happened in that room."
Once again, the complainant disagreed.
The Crown expects to call at least four more witnesses to the stand during the three-day trial.
The allegations have not been proven in a court of law.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
TSB concludes investigation into cause of London, Ont. freight train fire
More than two weeks after a freight train with several railcars ablaze rolled through the heart of the Forest City, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has concluded its investigation.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.