Humby complainant returns to court days after walking out, denies claims of blackmail
CBC
The ninth complainant to testify against Tony Humby returned to court on Tuesday morning, ready to continue after walking out on proceedings last week.
The young man, who cannot be identified due to a statutory publication ban, finished his direct examination with the prosecution in the morning and began cross-examination by the defence.
He described three separate incidents, alleging Humby paid him and two other teens to engage in sex acts with each other and then with him, that Humby paid him to send an intimate image, and that Humby raped him the morning after a night of drinking and smoking marijuana.
On Tuesday morning, he described a conversation in which he asked his mother about appropriate age differences in sexual relationships.
“I was confused about what happened to me when I was 13 years old,” he said. “My mom broke down crying and said it’s not my fault.”
He said his mother told him he should report it to police, so he called the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. His complaint kicked off the investigation that resulted in charges in 2023.
His testimony has been painful at times. The complainant walked out of court on Thursday after a series of questions by Crown prosecutor Deidre Badcock about his memories of the alleged abuse.
When asked on Tuesday how he was feeling when he stormed out, the young man said: “Words can’t describe [how] it made me feel…. I feel sad, mad, angry all at the same time.”
He said his biggest fear is what other people will think of him if they find out what happened.
“I was 13,” he stressed multiple times.
On cross examination, defence lawyer Mark Gruchy zeroed in on the young man’s criminal record — just as he’s done for several witnesses before him.
The complainant has a lengthy youth record including several robberies and multiple breaches of court conditions. He’s currently incarcerated on remand for charges involving theft and violence.
He got his back up when Gruchy asked repeated questions about that record.
“Isn’t this kind of discrimination in a way?” he asked. “You’re bringing up my criminal background.”
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse.
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