The judge in the sexual assault trial of Snowbirds pilot Maj. Steven Hurlbut will render her decision Sept. 5 in Barrie.
Hurlbut is accused of sexual assault against a female military member at the Allure Hotel on Fairview Road on June 8, 2023.
The woman claims Hurlbut invited her to his hotel room and set upon her with unwanted kissing, then tried to insert his tongue into her ear and briefly prevented her from leaving.
Hurlbut claims the only contact that night was an amiable drink in the hotel bar and then a short meet-up in her room soon after, ostensibly to watch The Simpsons and discuss work issues.
Hurlbut, who took the stand in his own defence in January, denied any sexual contact, unwanted or otherwise, took place between him and the complainant.
Both the accused and alleged victim were in town for the Barrie Airshow.
During his testimony, Hurlbut described a hectic day that started with a fly-over at the Canadian Open in Toronto, returning to Barrie, then driving back down to the golf tournament as a spectator, before returning to Allure on the night of the alleged incident.
By contrast, the complainant described “absolute terror” at her encounter and subsequent difficulty dealing with the fallout.
Hurlbut was charged about 10 days after the alleged incident.
The trial was originally scheduled for three non-consecutive days across October and early January, but has been beset by numerous delays that have stretched it out more than twice that time over several extra months.
The trial hit its first significant snag when another member of the extended Snowbirds crew acknowledged that he had likely forwarded information about the case to superiors. It led to that witness being recalled, and a series of new dates had to be found to explore what turned out to be relatively minor evidence and related issues.
Hurlbut, now 49 and assigned to non-operational duties in Moose Jaw, Sask., since being charged, has attended most proceedings in-person in Barrie. He had been a Snowbird for about two years when he was charged.
The alleged victim identity is protected by a publication ban.
