Wednesday, December 24, 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

New B.C. oil and gas royalty system ends subsidies

New B.C. oil and gas royalty system ends subsidies
Premier John Horgan says the "broken system" of fossil-fuel subsidies doesn't fit with his government's climate goals or ensure people benefit from the resources.    

New B.C. oil and gas royalty system ends subsidies

Avian flu found in Fraser Valley flock: agency

Avian flu found in Fraser Valley flock: agency
B.C.'s Ministry of Agriculture says in a statement the infected farm has been placed under quarantine by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and producers within a 10-kilometre radius have been sent notices about the discovery.    

Avian flu found in Fraser Valley flock: agency

540 people in B.C. hospitalized with COVID-19

540 people in B.C. hospitalized with COVID-19
The Omicron variant is still the most prominent and that people can spread the virus to others even if they have been vaccinated and don't have symptoms. Breakthrough infections from new variants can occur in people who are fully vaccinated.    

540 people in B.C. hospitalized with COVID-19

Plan ahead for long weekend border lineups: Surrey RCMP

Plan ahead for long weekend border lineups: Surrey RCMP
Drivers utilizing the Pacific Highway Border crossing should remain on main roads and highways, specifically 176 Street and 8 Avenue to access the crossing. Be courteous and do not attempt to take short cuts through residential neighborhoods or block access to side streets while waiting in line.

Plan ahead for long weekend border lineups: Surrey RCMP

Stolen Toyota located in the area of Pemberton & Whistler, a man and woman in custody

Stolen Toyota located in the area of Pemberton & Whistler, a man and woman in custody
During the course of the arrest the male received injuries and the IIO was contacted. The IIO BC will be investigating the incident and the actions of the police officers.

Stolen Toyota located in the area of Pemberton & Whistler, a man and woman in custody

UCP leadership race gears up after Alberta's Kenney announces resignation

UCP leadership race gears up after Alberta's Kenney announces resignation
Jean is one of two former leaders of the Wildrose Party, which merged with the Progressive Conservatives to form the UCP in 2017, to signal leadership intentions. He lost to Kenney in the inaugural UCP leadership race. 

UCP leadership race gears up after Alberta's Kenney announces resignation