Former Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot acquitted of alleged sexual assault

Grounded Snowbirds pilot, Steven Hurlbut, has been found not guilty of sexual assault.

Warning: Details in this article may be upsetting to readers.

Maj. Steven Hurlbut has been exonerated following trial in a Barrie, Ont. courtroom.

The grounded Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot accused of sexual assault was found not guilty Friday by Justice Jodie-Lynn Waddilove who ruled the Crown failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt Hurlbut sexually assaulted a female colleague two years ago inside a Barrie hotel room.

The woman, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, told the court she was the victim of non-consensual, unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature.

In her decision, Justice Waddilove noted issues with the complainant’s memory and the reliability and dependability of the woman’s evidence.

Ruling, while sincere and emotionally compelling, the complainant’s evidence was marked by internal inconsistencies, acknowledged memory gaps, and evolving interpretations of the incident.

Waddilove found, while not perfect, Hurlbut’s testimony was consistent and “not demonstrably false.”

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The five-day trial, which began last October, heard from several witnesses, including Hurlbut and the complainant who accused him of taking advantage of her ahead of his scheduled performance at the Barrie Airshow in June 2023 following drinks at the hotel bar and an invitation to his room later that night to watch TV.

Hurlbut told the court he wanted to help the woman deal with burnout at work.

The complainant testified he propositioned her several times and tried to have sex with her, kissing and grabbing her against her will. On the witness stand Hurlbut said he never forced himself on her.

Hurlbut was adamant testifying: “I did not want to have sex with her.”

The 49-year-old pilot, who flew combat missions in Iraq and Syria, said there was no sexual contact with the woman, denying the woman’s claims he wanted to do more than talk.

With permission from the court, Hurlbut and his lawyer Karl Toews attended the proceedings virtually. When reached for comment Toews told CTV News “innocent people do get accused and prosecuted,” adding this has been a “long and terrible ordeal” for Maj. Hurlbut and his family.