Wednesday, July 8, 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

B.C. COVID-19 vaccine card takes effect

B.C. COVID-19 vaccine card takes effect
The digital or paper vaccine card is required at settings such as ticketed sports events, concerts, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, casinos, gyms and movie theatres.

B.C. COVID-19 vaccine card takes effect

B.C. finance minister to provide update

B.C. finance minister to provide update
Robinson reported in July that the deficit of $5.46 billion for the 2020-21 fiscal year that ended March 31 had come in nearly $3 billion lower than forecast.

B.C. finance minister to provide update

Shots fired at Surrey RCMP Officer

Shots fired at Surrey RCMP Officer
There is a road closure in effect on 82 Avenue between 128 Street and 124 Street. The roadway is expected to be closed for some time as the Integrated Forensic Identification Service collects evidence in the area.

Shots fired at Surrey RCMP Officer

820 COVID19 cases for Friday

820 COVID19 cases for Friday
There are 5,850 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 165,027 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 281 individuals are in hospital and 135 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.    

820 COVID19 cases for Friday

Third COVID shot recommended for immunocompromised

Third COVID shot recommended for immunocompromised
Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says the advice applies to people 12 and older whose immune systems are compromised for a variety of reasons like being treated for a tumour or having an untreated HIV infection that has advanced.

Third COVID shot recommended for immunocompromised

Surrey RCMP need the public's assistance in locating missing man Siasat Cheema

Surrey RCMP need the public's assistance in locating missing man Siasat Cheema
It is out of character for Siasat Cheema to be out of contact, and police and family are concerned for his well-being. Siasat Cheema is described as a 30 year old, South Asian man, 6 ft., 199 lbs., with black hair and a short beard. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.  

Surrey RCMP need the public's assistance in locating missing man Siasat Cheema