Monday, December 29, 2025
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

Carjackings in Burnaby involved knives and guns being waved at victims

Carjackings in Burnaby involved knives and guns being waved at victims
Three of the four incidents targeted drivers from an unregulated Chinese ridesharing app. In each of the incidents a weapon was brandished, but none of the victims were injured.    

Carjackings in Burnaby involved knives and guns being waved at victims

B.C.'s Interior Health to restart surgeries

B.C.'s Interior Health to restart surgeries
The announcement from Interior Health comes as the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. continues to decline, at 733 on Friday from 744 the previous day.    

B.C.'s Interior Health to restart surgeries

692 COVID19 cases for Friday

692 COVID19 cases for Friday
There are 733 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 113 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, 5 new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,786.

692 COVID19 cases for Friday

Downtown Eastside shooting lands one in hospital with serious injuries

Downtown Eastside shooting lands one in hospital with serious injuries
Multiple 9-1-1 callers reported hearing gun shots near East Cordova and Carrall streets at around 8:45 p.m. February 16. One person was taken to hospital for serious injuries.

Downtown Eastside shooting lands one in hospital with serious injuries

Victims scammed by Facebook Marketplace

Victims scammed by Facebook Marketplace
Suspects posted items for sale and arranged meetings with potential buyers. Victims then agreed to e-transfer payment prior to meeting the suspects, who suddenly stopped communicating with the victims and never showed up to exchange goods.

Victims scammed by Facebook Marketplace

Ottawa police arrest 70 in sweeping operation

Ottawa police arrest 70 in sweeping operation
Interim chief Steve Bell says the plan is "deliberate and methodical" and police are in control on the ground, but clearing the area will take time. Police began enforcing against the protest on Thursday night, setting up about 100 checkpoints and arresting key organizers.

Ottawa police arrest 70 in sweeping operation