Jacob Hoggard denied full parole, granted six months at halfway house

The Parole Board of Canada rejected Jacob Hoggard's bid for full parole this month, saying the former Hedley frontman and convicted sexual offender requires professional supervision before a more liberal release.

The two-member panel granted Hoggard six months of day parole at a halfway house instead. The 41-year-old is serving a five-year sentence after conviction in June 2022 of sexual assault causing bodily harm against an Ottawa woman. He was acquitted of the same charge and sexual interference against a teenage fan.

The board imposed conditions including a prohibition on being in the presence of girls under 18 unless accompanied by a responsible adult who knows his criminal history and has been approved by his parole officer.

In its ruling, the board noted that Hoggard had "no understanding" of consent and didn't think about it going into sexual encounters. "The board has difficulty seeing how, with no understanding of consent combined with the numerous sexual encounters you had, your admitted view at the time of women as objects, and your interest in violent and degrading sexual behaviour, the index offence was the only time you crossed a boundary," the panel wrote.

The sexual assault "appears to have been part of a pattern of manipulation, predation, and sexual violence," the board said. Hoggard maintained his innocence until recently, only admitting guilt to his wife in April of this year. "Though your wife and family remain supportive, you have shown your willingness and ability to deceive them for years such that the board believes you require professional, arm's length supervision," the panel concluded.