Witness compares Toronto councillor's friend to Ghislaine Maxwell in sex assault case
The sexual assault trial of a Toronto councillor continued Thursday in a Bracebridge courtroom, with the witness comparing the accused's friend to a convicted human trafficker.
Michael Thompson, 64, is accused of assault by young women who the court heard were promised networking opportunities during a Canada Day weekend getaway two years ago in Port Carling.
A young woman invited to a Port Carling cottage by the Toronto councillor took the stand again, telling the court she was given tequila, drank wine and smoked marijuana.
It was at the cottage where Thompson is alleged to have sexually assaulted two young women during the Canada Day weekend in 2022.
The witness, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, said Thompson's female friend Tracy, who provided marijuana and alcohol to the younger women, made her feel uncomfortable.
"There were these weird mind games being played," she testified.
The witness said she felt she may have been groomed for a sexual predator, likening Thompson's friend Tracy to Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend, convicted human trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
The witness said she felt a strange energy at the cottage.
"This is weird, and this is a grooming process going on," said the witness, who believed she may have been lured to the cottage with other young women by Thompson.
The witness described seeing Thompson massaging or rubbing another young woman on the dock. She said she heard the woman may have been digitally penetrated.
A publication ban protects the identities of the witness and the two complainants.
The defence suggested to the witness Thompson rubbed sunscreen on the woman.
The court then heard testimony from the witness about allegations from another woman who said she performed fellatio on Thompson in his bedroom when she may not have wanted to.
The trial continues Friday and is scheduled to resume with at least two more dates later this month.
Thompson has pleaded not guilty to the two charges.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Biden and Harris appear together for the first time since she lost the election to Trump
U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris on Monday made their first joint appearance since her U.S. selection loss when they observed Veterans Day together by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
'I get goosebumps': Canadians across the country mark Remembrance Day
Across Canada, dignitaries marked Remembrance Day by laying wreaths at ceremonies, school children sang in the late fall chill and veterans recalled the horrors of battle.
Canada cancels automatic 10-year multiple-entry visas, tightens rules
Canada has announced changes to their visitor visa policies, effectively ending the automatic issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas, according to new rules outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Trump names Stephen Miller to be deputy chief of policy in new administration
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is naming longtime adviser Stephen Miller, an immigration hard-liner, to be the deputy chief of policy in his new administration.
Mattel says it 'deeply' regrets misprint on 'Wicked' dolls packaging that links to porn site
Toy giant Mattel says it 'deeply' regrets an error on the packaging of its 'Wicked' movie-themed dolls, which mistakenly links toy buyers to a pornographic website.
Alien-like signal from 2023 has been decoded. The next step is to figure out what it means
If Earth's astronomical observatories were to pick up a signal from outer space, it would need an all-hands-on-deck effort to decipher the extraterrestrial message. A father-daughter team of citizen scientists recently deciphered the message. Its meaning, however, remains a mystery.
Twin port shutdowns risk more damage to Canadian economy: business groups
Business groups are raising concerns about the broad effects of another round of labour disruptions in the transport sector as Canada faces shutdowns at its two biggest ports.
Tornado touched down Sunday in Fergus, Ont., experts confirm
A team of tornado experts are investigating a path of damage through Wellington County.
Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people
Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.