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Jacob Hoggard Granted Six-Month Day Parole Amid Strict Conditions
In a decision that kept the former Hedley frontman behind bars, the Parole Board of Canada denied Jacob Hoggard full parole this month, opting instead for a six‑month period of day parole at a halfway house. The two‑member panel said the move was necessary to provide professional supervision as Hoggard transitions from prison.
The ruling, issued in early June, imposes a set of conditions that go beyond those recommended by the Correctional Service of Canada. Hoggard must report all relationships with girls and women, avoid contact with sex workers, and may not be in the presence of anyone under 18 unless accompanied by a responsible adult approved by his parole officer. The board also ordered that his texts, messaging, social media and other electronic communications be monitored.
Hoggard is serving a five‑year sentence after being found guilty in June 2022 of sexual assault causing bodily harm against an Ottawa woman in a Toronto hotel room. He was also acquitted of a second charge of sexual assault and a third charge of sexual interference with a teenage fan. His appeal to the Ontario Court of Appeal was dismissed in 2024.
In its ruling, the board noted that it considered allegations that did not lead to conviction when assessing the risk Hoggard may pose in the community. The decision cites the alleged grooming of a 15‑year‑old female, stating:
> "You have said that you communicated with a 15‑year‑old female and lied to her with a view to manipulating her into having sex with you. You groomed her over an extended time."
The board also described how Hoggard used the dating app Tinder to lure the Ottawa woman to a hotel room, adding:
> "You exploited a position of power with younger females. Your contact with underage females should be supervised, as should your use of telecommunications devices to monitor compliance with your conditions of release and as such, mitigate your risk."
During his hearing, Hoggard denied engaging in any non‑consensual acts aside from the one that led to his conviction. He also claimed he had no understanding of consent at the time of the offence and did not consider it when entering sexual encounters. The board expressed difficulty reconciling this lack of understanding with his admitted view of women as objects and his interest in violent sexual behaviour:
> "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 board described the sexual assault for which Hoggard was convicted as part of a pattern of manipulation, predation and sexual violence, noting similarities with other incidents that had been reported.
Hoggard has maintained his innocence even after the 2024 appeal was dismissed. He only admitted to behaving aggressively during intake at the institution. At a hearing earlier this month, he said he knew he had done something wrong when allegations first emerged, but denied them out of fear and embarrassment. The board also cited a report from April of this year that Hoggard had only recently admitted his guilt to his wife.
The board concluded that Hoggard’s willingness and ability to deceive his family over the years—despite their support—warranted professional, arm’s‑length supervision. It therefore rejected his request to live with his wife, son and parents.
Hoggard’s case began in early 2018 when allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. The band Hedley went on indefinite hiatus that year, and the group later confirmed they had disbanded. In 2022, Hoggard was charged in Toronto with sexual assault in an alleged incident in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. He was acquitted of that charge after a jury deliberated for less than six hours.
The Parole Board’s decision reflects a cautious approach to offenders with a history of sexual violence. By granting day parole rather than full parole, the board aims to test Hoggard’s progress in a controlled environment while imposing stringent monitoring to protect the community.
As of now, Hoggard remains in prison, scheduled to serve the remainder of his five‑year sentence. The board’s ruling will be reviewed if he applies for further parole after the six‑month period.
The ruling, issued in early June, imposes a set of conditions that go beyond those recommended by the Correctional Service of Canada. Hoggard must report all relationships with girls and women, avoid contact with sex workers, and may not be in the presence of anyone under 18 unless accompanied by a responsible adult approved by his parole officer. The board also ordered that his texts, messaging, social media and other electronic communications be monitored.
Hoggard is serving a five‑year sentence after being found guilty in June 2022 of sexual assault causing bodily harm against an Ottawa woman in a Toronto hotel room. He was also acquitted of a second charge of sexual assault and a third charge of sexual interference with a teenage fan. His appeal to the Ontario Court of Appeal was dismissed in 2024.
In its ruling, the board noted that it considered allegations that did not lead to conviction when assessing the risk Hoggard may pose in the community. The decision cites the alleged grooming of a 15‑year‑old female, stating:
> "You have said that you communicated with a 15‑year‑old female and lied to her with a view to manipulating her into having sex with you. You groomed her over an extended time."
The board also described how Hoggard used the dating app Tinder to lure the Ottawa woman to a hotel room, adding:
> "You exploited a position of power with younger females. Your contact with underage females should be supervised, as should your use of telecommunications devices to monitor compliance with your conditions of release and as such, mitigate your risk."
During his hearing, Hoggard denied engaging in any non‑consensual acts aside from the one that led to his conviction. He also claimed he had no understanding of consent at the time of the offence and did not consider it when entering sexual encounters. The board expressed difficulty reconciling this lack of understanding with his admitted view of women as objects and his interest in violent sexual behaviour:
> "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 board described the sexual assault for which Hoggard was convicted as part of a pattern of manipulation, predation and sexual violence, noting similarities with other incidents that had been reported.
Hoggard has maintained his innocence even after the 2024 appeal was dismissed. He only admitted to behaving aggressively during intake at the institution. At a hearing earlier this month, he said he knew he had done something wrong when allegations first emerged, but denied them out of fear and embarrassment. The board also cited a report from April of this year that Hoggard had only recently admitted his guilt to his wife.
The board concluded that Hoggard’s willingness and ability to deceive his family over the years—despite their support—warranted professional, arm’s‑length supervision. It therefore rejected his request to live with his wife, son and parents.
Hoggard’s case began in early 2018 when allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. The band Hedley went on indefinite hiatus that year, and the group later confirmed they had disbanded. In 2022, Hoggard was charged in Toronto with sexual assault in an alleged incident in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. He was acquitted of that charge after a jury deliberated for less than six hours.
The Parole Board’s decision reflects a cautious approach to offenders with a history of sexual violence. By granting day parole rather than full parole, the board aims to test Hoggard’s progress in a controlled environment while imposing stringent monitoring to protect the community.
As of now, Hoggard remains in prison, scheduled to serve the remainder of his five‑year sentence. The board’s ruling will be reviewed if he applies for further parole after the six‑month period.
