Pedestrians pass through Toronto's High Park, where a woman was allegedly assaulted on a paved pathway on the night of June 4.Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
The man charged by police in the late-night sexual assault of a 62-year-old woman in one of Toronto’s most popular parks was on probation at the time of the incident.
Earlier this week, Toronto police announced that they have laid charges in connection with a sexual assault that took place in High Park on June 4 – an attack that has left the surrounding community on alert. Cortny Henry, 35, was charged with multiple offences, including sexual assault with bodily harm.
Court records obtained by The Globe and Mail show that in January, five months before the alleged sex assault, Mr. Henry was convicted of robbery in the Ontario Court of Justice and given a suspended sentence of 36 months probation instead of a jail term. The terms of his probation included a prohibition on possessing weapons, staying away from his robbery victims and keeping the peace.
Police allege that at 10:40 p.m. on June 4, Mr. Henry attacked a woman who was walking on a paved pathway in the park, grabbing her from behind and dragging her into a wooded area.
The woman got away from the suspect before seeking assistance from a passerby in the area who called police, however the suspect fled the area.
The charges have not been tested in court.
‘Honestly, it’s gotten a lot worse’: Teen girls on the Hockey Canada trial and life after #MeToo
Robert Kivlichan, who is listed as Mr. Henry’s lawyer, could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday afternoon.
But Mr. Henry’s previous lawyer from his robbery conviction earlier this year said the suspended sentence he received was appropriate.
Jasmine Mann, a Toronto criminal lawyer, said her recollection was that the robbery was not a significant theft and didn’t involve any weapons or injuries.
“There wasn’t a sexual component to that case whatsoever,” Ms. Mann said. “I don’t think he had a criminal record prior to that offence.”
“I think he had taken a backpack or something of that nature, and everything was recovered by the complainant,” said Ms. Mann.
Ms. Mann said Mr. Henry’s main objective when pleading guilty was to avoid jail and to not be separated from his children.
“It was just a matter of ‘Can I plead guilty in a way that allows me to stay home with my kids?’” she said.
In addition to the sexual assault charge Mr. Henry faces in relation to the alleged High Park attack, he also faces charges of robbery, failing to comply with probation and drug possession.
Emily Maggiacomo lives nearby and previoulsy visited the park most days for a boost to her mental health.Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
The incident has shaken Toronto’s west end and raised concerns for the many members of the community who frequent the park.
Speaking with The Globe at High Park on Friday, resident Emily Maggiacomo said the incident had changed the way she uses the park, which is one of the city’s larger green spaces, at 161 hectares, and features forested areas, a swimming pool, a zoo and a variety of sports facilities. Ms. Maggiacomo said she opted to take a busier path than the more wooded and quiet trail she normally takes.
“I was just thinking that it was very sad that I can’t just go the way I want to go, and as a woman, I have to think about if I’m going to be raped or murdered,” she said.
She said she visits the park most days for a boost to her mental health, but concerns for her own safety have now diminished the benefits.
“I grew up around here, and all my memories here are so pleasant, and I feel like things like this really sour it in a very sad way,” Ms. Maggiacomo said.
Stephen Evans says the attack likely won't stop him from running through the park, though he worries about the safety of his 20-year-old daughter.Sammy Kogan/The Globe and Mail
Stephen Evans, said he was “shocked” to hear about the attack.
“I’ve lived in the neighbourhood for 20 years, and I run here almost every day,” Mr. Evans said. “It’s not the first time something disturbing and unexpected happened, but the nature of this one was very surprising.”
He said the incident has become a topic of conversation with other community members.
“We’re not young people, so if something happens to someone older, people question their own safety for sure.”
He said he isn’t likely to change the way he uses the park but that he’s worried about his 20-year-old daughter who might be more likely to walk through the green space at night.