Thursday, April 2, 2026
ADVT 
National

Crown begins closing in B.C. extortion trial

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Jul, 2022 12:25 PM
  • Crown begins closing in B.C. extortion trial

Crown and defence counsel have finished calling evidence in the British Columbia Supreme Court trial for the Dutch man accused of harassing and extorting teenager Amanda Todd before she died a decade ago.

Aydin Coban pleaded not guilty at the jury trial in New Westminster to charges of extortion, harassment, communication with a young person to commit a sexual offence and possessing child pornography.

Crown attorney Kristen LeNoble began closing arguments by telling jurors she would spend the next few days helping them "unpack" the evidence, including testimony from more than 30witnesses and binders full of 80 exhibits.

By the time the Crown is finished, LeNoble says they will have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Coban was the person behind 22 separate online aliases used to harass and extort Todd with child pornography that depicted her.

LeNoble says Todd's harassment began just before her 13th birthday when she received a message that threatened to send a video of her to friends, family and local media.

Crown prosecutor Louise Kenworthy told the jury at the start of the trial last month that the teenager from Port Coquitlam, B.C., had been the victim of a persistent campaign of online "sextortion" over three years before her death in October 2012.

Carol Todd testified that her daughter was scared when she brought messages to her mother's attention, and Amanda's distress increased with each incident.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2022.

MORE National ARTICLES

Lululemon extends hot streak to end of fiscal year

Lululemon extends hot streak to end of fiscal year
The Vancouver-based athletic clothing company, which reports in U.S. dollars, says it earned US$434.5 million or US$3.36 per diluted share in the quarter, up from US$329.8 million or US$2.52 per share a year earlier.

Lululemon extends hot streak to end of fiscal year

Report into fatal train derailment to be released

Report into fatal train derailment to be released
Following a preliminary review, RCMP began a criminal investigation in December 2020. The Transportation Safety Board has said the westbound train had been parked on a grade with its air brakes applied for two hours when it began rolling on its own.

Report into fatal train derailment to be released

Hells Angels member charged in large drug bust

Hells Angels member charged in large drug bust
RCMP say Damion Ryan, who is 41, was arrested in Ontario last month and is facing numerous charges related to firearms and drug trafficking. They say he is a full-patch Hells Angels member for the motorcycle gang’s Attica chapter in Greece.

Hells Angels member charged in large drug bust

Federal budget set for April 7: Freeland

Federal budget set for April 7: Freeland
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday she will deliver this year's spending plan on April 7. Freeland has said the document would be focused on spurring economic growth. The budget will be the first since September's federal election that saw the Liberals returned with their second minority mandate.

Federal budget set for April 7: Freeland

B.C. doctor suspended over COVID-19 allegations

B.C. doctor suspended over COVID-19 allegations
The interim suspension order, effective March 24 but posted on the college's website on Monday, affects Dr. Stephen Malthouse, a family practitioner on Denman Island.

B.C. doctor suspended over COVID-19 allegations

Liberals to take time on promised child-care law

Liberals to take time on promised child-care law
Karina Gould says the legislation would also put into law the principles that provinces and territories agreed to in funding agreements, including to cut parent fees and create more spaces.    

Liberals to take time on promised child-care law