Toronto Pastor-Activist Pleads Not Guilty To Nova Scotia Sex Assault Charge

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Apr, 2016 12:23 PM

KENTVILLE, N.S. — A prominent Toronto pastor has pleaded not guilty to decades-old sex-crime allegations in Nova Scotia.

Reverend Brent Hawkes is accused of indecent assault and gross indecency related to allegations of a sexual assault in the 1970s.

As expected, Hawkes did not appear in provincial court today in Kentville. Halifax lawyer Joel Pink appeared on behalf of Hawkes' lawyer, Clayton Ruby.

Not guilty pleas were entered on the charges and trial dates set for seven days starting Nov. 14.

Hawkes — a gay rights advocate who officiated at former NDP leader Jack Layton's state funeral in 2014 — has maintained his innocence and says he will fight the accusations.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

One Dead, One In Hospital As Car Struck By Freight Train In Brampton, Ont.

Friday's crash took place just before 10:30 a.m. at a crossing in Brampton, Ont.

One Dead, One In Hospital As Car Struck By Freight Train In Brampton, Ont.

Saskatoon Man Charged In Sex-Assault, Robbery Case Near University Of Victoria

A Saskatchewan man is accused of forcing his way into the home of two young women on Vancouver Island and sexually assaulted one of them earlier this year.

Saskatoon Man Charged In Sex-Assault, Robbery Case Near University Of Victoria

Helium Balloons Banned At Surrey Vaisakhi Parade

A statement from organizers asked businesses and attendees to respect the event’s new “no helium balloons” policy.

Helium Balloons Banned At Surrey Vaisakhi Parade

Canadian Woman Celebrating 107th Birthday Says Key To Long Life Is Being Good To Others

Brown celebrated her 107th birthday today in Truro, N.S., and said the key to a long and happy life is being good to others

Canadian Woman Celebrating 107th Birthday Says Key To Long Life Is Being Good To Others

Vancouver Pot Activist Dana Larsen Charged After Seed Give-away Rally In Calgary

Dana Larsen was in the city on Wednesday with his “Overgrow Canada” campaign in which he aims to hand out one million pot seeds to be planted in public places.

Vancouver Pot Activist Dana Larsen Charged After Seed Give-away Rally In Calgary

When Carrots Equal Karats: New Study Says B.C. Home Costs Threaten Food Security

VANCOUVER — A report from Vancity credit union says double-digit leaps in home prices across the Vancouver region could force farmers off the land and threaten local food security.