WATCH: Jacob Hoggard’s lawyer speaks with reporters after setting a new court date of August 15 pic.twitter.com/HsLZ8Sh7F9
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The sex offences case against Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard will return to court August 15 after a quickie court date.
The attention-grabbing singer did not appear in a jammed courtroom at Old City Hall in person, sending a lawyer on his behalf.
34-year-old Hoggard was charged earlier this week with two counts of sexual assault causing bodily harm and one count count of sexual interference.
Hoggard is accused of touching a girl under the age of 16 "directly or indirectly ... with a part of his body, for a sexual purpose" in April 2016, court documents show. The singer is alleged to have sexually assaulted the same girl in September 2016, and alleged to have sexually assaulted a woman in November 2016, the documents say.
Hoggard has previously denied ever engaging in non-consensual sexual behaviour, but has said he behaved in a way that objectifies women.
Toronto Police
Speaking with reporters outside the courthouse, Hoggard's lawyer Ian Smith says he is aware of the "not insignificant level of public interest in this case" and of his client's position on the charges he faces.
"Mister Hoggard's position will become clear in due course and as appropriate as the matter proceeds through the course," Smith said.
While the courtroom's gallery was mostly packed with reporters, a handful of young women also took a seat on the wooden benches. One of them identified herself as a fan and a supporter of Hoggard's.
"He saved my life...with his music," she told NEWSTALK 1010.
with files from the Canadian Press