National

Bitter Gymnast Made False Allegations, Defence Argues In Brubaker Case

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Dec, 2018 10:42 PM

SARNIA, Ont. — A lawyer for a former high-ranking gymnastics coach says a former trainee levelled allegations of sexual assault against the man because she was psychologically scarred after failing to make it to the Olympics.

Dave Brubaker, who was the director of the women's national gymnastics team, has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual exploitation.

The complainant, whose name is protected by a publication ban, has said Brubaker would pick her up from school and take her to his house, where he would occasionally spoon her in bed and tickle her belly before driving her to practice.

Defence lawyer Patrick Ducharme argued that wasn't possible because Brubaker's wife was nearly always home at the same time, and suggested the gymnast felt betrayed that Brubaker took other trainees to the Olympics but not her.

Prosecutor David Rows argued the woman was forthright and honest in her testimony.

Justice Deborah Austin is expected to deliver her decision in the case on Feb. 13.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

DARPAN's Extraordinary Achievement Awards 2018 Are Almost Here!

The nominations for the much-awaited 9th Annual DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards are now open.

DARPAN's Extraordinary Achievement Awards 2018 Are Almost Here!

Protesters Accuse Trudeau Of Fiddling On Pipeline While Climate Change Burns BC

NANAIMO, B.C. — Justin Trudeau's twin objectives to reduce Canada's carbon emissions and build a pipeline to carry oilsands bitumen to the coast are colliding in a province ravaged by wildfires that the prime minister's own government attributes to climate change.

Protesters Accuse Trudeau Of Fiddling On Pipeline While Climate Change Burns BC

Wildfires Have Potential To Add Touch Of Smoke To British Columbia Wines

Winemakers can only hope the scent of smoke that's in the air across British Columbia from wildfires won't swirl in the glass once this year's vintages have been bottled.

Wildfires Have Potential To Add Touch Of Smoke To British Columbia Wines

Children, Elderly At Risk As Smoke From Distant Fires Hangs Over Parts Of B.C.

"You can't hold as much air in your lungs, that's the natural part of the aging process, but it means the smoke might have more effect on you than a healthy younger person, especially if you happen to have some chronic disease," Henderson said.

Children, Elderly At Risk As Smoke From Distant Fires Hangs Over Parts Of B.C.

PM To Visit Northern B.C. As Cabinet Holds Retreat Amid Wildfire Crisis

NANAIMO, B.C. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his newly shuffled cabinet gathered Tuesday for a retreat on Vancouver Island, under smoke-filled skies amid a province-wide wildfire emergency.

PM To Visit Northern B.C. As Cabinet Holds Retreat Amid Wildfire Crisis

B.C. Premier John Horgan Says Wildfires Prompted Unprecedented Second State Of Emergency

VANCOUVER — Premier John Horgan says successive B.C. governments have budgeted "laughable" amounts of money to fight wildfires that are becoming all too common through the ravages of climate change.