Latest news with #predatorybehavior
CBC
29-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Accused abuser's trial will reveal 'sexual violence on an unrelenting scale,' Crown tells court
Social Sharing WARNING: This story includes graphic descriptions of sexual violence. Evidence from 28 complainants who allege Michael Haaima preyed upon them — some when they were teen girls — will reveal a "predatory system of sexual violence," the Crown told court as his trial began Thursday in Kingston, Ont. Assistant Crown attorney Megan Williams told the Superior Court of Justice she intends to show the pattern of alleged abuse was driven by the accused's need for control and an "unrelenting interest in sexual activity with a child." Haaima, now 40, faces 98 charges for alleged incidents dating back between 2007 and 2022, when he was arrested. The indictment lists more than 30 counts of sexual assault, several of which are alleged to have involved choking or weapons including a belt, a paddle and a screwdriver. Haaima also faces multiple charges for allegedly accessing and making child pornography. "This is a case about sexual violence on an unrelenting scale," Williams said in her opening statement. "It is about Mr. Haaima's predatory collection of young women and teenaged girls to be used for his sexual domination, fuelled by his violent and pedophilic sexual urges." The defence did not making an opening statement as the trial began Thursday. Haaima pleaded not guilty 96 times Haaima, who appeared in court wearing a grey suit and glasses, could be seen shaking his head as the Crown lawyer read her statement. The list of charges was so long that Haaima's lawyer Natasha Calvinho asked that she and her client be allowed to sit while it was read out. It took more than 40 minutes, with two members of the court staff taking turns reading 10 counts at a time. Ninety-six times Haaima pleaded not guilty. He pleaded guilty only to the final two charges, for breaching a non-contact order after he was already in custody. The investigation began in January 2022. Prior to his arrest, Haaima worked in Kingston's tech sector. Williams, the Crown lawyer, said the allegations against him could be divided into two broad time frames. The first, spanning 2007 to 2010, involved seven women and allegedly saw Haaima "taking advantage of access" he had to them through selling marijuana. The other 21 complainants encountered the accused between 2016 and 2022, after being targeted through social media platforms including dating app Tindr, according to the Crown. The identities of all the victims are shielded by a standard publication ban. 5 months set aside for trial Williams told court Haaima's alleged pattern of abuse began with him presenting as a "nice guy," offering his alleged victims alcohol and marijuana before a sudden "escalation to sexual violence" including voyeurism and filming. Some of the women are expected to testify they were choked into unconsciousness, she told the court. They'll also testify Haaima forced complainants to call him "daddy" and act like a schoolgirl, a child or a baby. The Crown said Haaima would also expose alleged victims to child pornography during sexual encounters, sometimes grabbing them by the hair and forcing them to watch it. Williams alleged Haaima also forced one victim, who was then under the age of consent, to engage in sexual activity with other men while he watched, describing that as falling under the "broad umbrella of human trafficking." "Eventually, his purpose evolved to soliciting some of the young women to facilitate his access to a young child for a sexual purpose," she told court. The trial is proceeding before a judge alone and is expected to take roughly five months. Williams said she anticipates Crown witnesses could testify into October, adding time has also been set aside this November and January 2026 to accommodate the defence and closing submissions.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders reveals horrifying truth about teenage newcomer Joel and his sickening crimes
EASTENDERS has shed light on the terrifying secret, newcomer Joel Marshall has brought with him to Albert Square. Played by Max Murray, the teenager has a dark past including a history of sexually harassing girls. 4 Joel arrived in Walford earlier this year alongside his dad Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) and his partner Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig), who returned from living in Australia. EastEnders viewers saw this week how Ross blew his top when he came home to find his son having sex with fellow schoolgirl Avani Nandra-Hart, portrayed by Aaliyah James, 24. Vicki could not understand why Ross was so upset when he learned the teens had been having sex. Ross' worst fears were then confirmed, when he discovered that the twisted teen had secretly filmed Avani having sex with him without her knowing. Joel then showed best friend Tommy the footage in an attempt to impress him. The father and son's big secret is then revealed to Vicki, and that this was not Joel's first time exhibiting predatory behaviour. It turns out Joel had taken a photo up a girl's skirt when they were in Australia, and Ross had been forced to pay off her family so they would not take the matter to police. Joel's storyline of incel behaviour is part of a plan by EastEnders bosses to tackle the hard-hitting issue of toxic masculinity. An EastEnders insider said: 'There is a huge rise in this type of behaviour amongst teenage boys and bosses are aware that the show is hugely popular with younger age groups so they're hoping this storyline will reach those who need it. "Bosses scripted this storyline over six months ago and it will build over the coming weeks and months to show the influence that social media can have on impressionable teens. "It will also explore the effects that a toxic friendship can have, especially when it involves impressionable teenagers. "It's not going to be glamorous, and bosses are keen to highlight the consequences of such actions, and the repercussions this can have on the individual and those around them.' It comes after the success of Netflix drama Adolescence documented similar behaviour among teenage boys. Last month it was reported that nearly three in five (59 per cent) teachers said they believe social media use has contributed to a deterioration in pupils' behaviour in schools, according to a poll by the NASUWT teaching union. The survey, of more than 5,800 NASUWT members in the UK in January, suggests that teachers think social media is the number one cause of negative pupil behaviour. 4 4 EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. Soap's most harrowing teen storylines We take a look at other harrowing teen soap storylines from soaps Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Belle Dingle's schizophrenia in Emmerdale - Belle's (Eden Taylor-Draper) traumatic journey in Emmerdale took a dark turn when, after accidentally killing her best friend Gemma at just 16, her mental health began to spiral. The storyline, which saw Belle struggling with her grief and guilt, showcased her battle with hearing Gemma's voice inside her head, leading to a dramatic decline in her well-being. Hannah Ashworth's anorexia in Hollyoaks - Viewers were horrified as they watched Hannah (Emma Rigby), a seemingly innocent teen, spiral into dangerous behavior, starving herself in an attempt to achieve what she thought was the ideal body. As Hannah's condition worsened, the storyline became more intense, culminating in her being hospitalised for two months as she fought for her life. Bethany Platt's grooming ordeal in Coronation Street - Vulnerable schoolgirl, played by Lucy Fallon, was at the centre of one of Corrie's darkest storylines to date when she fell under the spell of her older boyfriend and sexual predator. The controversial scenes saw Nathan groom and manipulate the 16-year-old before coercing her into sleeping with his friends, with one of them raping her. Whitney Dean's abuse from Tony in EastEnders - Since the age of 12, she had been in a twisted relationship with her stepmum Bianca's boyfriend, Tony King. The predator had groomed young Whit (Shona McGarty), making her believe she was in love and planning to run away with him. On her 16th birthday, the traumatised teen finally revealed the years of abuse to Bianca. Tony was swiftly sent to prison sentenced for 13 years. How to report a sexual assault Contact a doctor or practice nurse at your GP surgery. Contact a voluntary organisation, such as Rape Crisis, Women's Aid, Victim Support, The Survivors Trust or Male Survivors Partnership. Call the 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247. Speak to the rape and sexual abuse support line run by Rape Crisis England and Wales – you can call the helpline on 0808 500 2222 or use the online chat (both are free and are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year).
CBS News
07-05-2025
- CBS News
Massachusetts college employee charged with soliciting prospective student for sex denied bail
A federal judge has denied bail to a former assistant admissions director at Emmanuel College in Boston charged with soliciting a prospective student for sex after she came to the school for a tour in April and he allegedly accessed her personal data. "It's just crazy to think that somebody like that could be on campus," said student Kelsey Rioux who received an email from the school informing students of the case. Jacob Henriques, 29, was arrested last Friday and went before a judge Wednesday for a bail hearing in which the defense requested home confinement and a GPS monitoring device. "Obsessive and predatory" The judge called his behavior "obsessive and predatory" as she ordered him held. Federal prosecutors say over the past year Henriques allegedly solicited as many as 16 young women, offering the 17-year-old he's charged with $400 to "have some fun" while sending pornographic material. "There are no conditions of release that will ensure the safety of the community," argued prosecutor Craig Estes. He says Henriques relentlessly texted the 17-year-old until she blocked his phone and he allegedly started emailing. Estes said Henriques also tried to obstruct justice by breaking his cellphone and throwing it in the trash before investigators arrived at his Boston apartment to question him. It was at that time, he says, Henriques confessed to his behavior. Mother says daughter "living in fear" The mother of one of his alleged victims pleaded with the judge to hold Henriques saying, "My daughter is living in fear, and the possibility of his release intensifies the fear not only for her but her entire family." The Department of Justice says the arrest of Henriques was part of a wider federal probe named Operation Restore Justice to track and arrest alleged child sexual predators. The DOJ says more than 200 arrests were made from April 28 to May 2.
