Ex-Woodstock, Ont., mayor found guilty of sexual assault, judge calls him an ‘obvious liar’

Former Woodstock, Ont., mayor Trevor Birtch has been found guilty of two more counts of sexual assault in a recent court ruling. The Superior Court Justice, Spencer Nicholson, delivered a scathing verdict on Wednesday, stating that Birtch had “lied frequently and extravagantly” during his testimony and insulted the intelligence of the court. The judge expressed disbelief in Birtch’s evidence and found him to be completely unreliable.

Birtch was facing three charges of sexual assault against the same woman for alleged incidents that occurred in August 2021, April 2022, and between January and April 2022. While he was acquitted of the April 2022 sexual assault charge due to the survivor’s vague recollection, Justice Nicholson found the woman’s testimony to be believable. The survivor, who has both psychological and physical medical issues, revealed that she often used substances to cope, leading to memory loss and confusion.

During the trial, it was revealed that Birtch had supplied the woman with drugs and alcohol to make her more vulnerable to his sexual assaults. The judge stated that the pair consumed copious amounts of cocaine and alcohol together, with Birtch being the primary supplier of the drugs. The survivor’s identity is protected by a publication ban, and it was disclosed that their relationship took place while Birtch was serving as the mayor and sitting on the police services board.

This is not the first time Birtch has faced charges of sexual assault. In a previous case, he was found guilty of sexual assault and assault against a former girlfriend, but a mistrial was declared due to the violation of Birtch’s rights. The judge emphasized that the circumstances of the previous trial did not influence the current verdict.

The recent trial included evidence of voice memos sent by Birtch to a friend, detailing acts of torture and sexual assault against the complainant in his attic. While the survivor did not recall these incidents, the judge noted Birtch’s disturbing enthusiasm in describing the torture. It was determined that Birtch had victimized the woman repeatedly, taking advantage of her vulnerability.

The case is set to return to court in May for a pre-sentencing report, with discussions regarding the mistrial scheduled for January 28. Birtch also faces an impaired driving charge that will be addressed in court on February 11.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, support is available through crisis lines and local support services. You can access resources through the government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. In case of immediate danger, please call 911 for assistance.