Ont. man accused of sexually assaulting teenage girls appears in court

Warning: This story contains details that may be disturbing and triggering to readers.

A Severn Township man accused of sexually assaulting teenage girls in the Orillia area appears headed for trial.

Ty Arends, 23, faces allegations he sexually assaulted three teenage girls, when police say Arends lied about his age and violated the complainants, who were as young as 14.

Surrounded by loved ones, covering his face with a scarf, Arends rushed into a waiting vehicle outside the Orillia courthouse following the second day of his preliminary hearing proceedings.

A publication ban protects the identities of the complainants from being revealed along with any evidence heard in court.

Arends was granted bail in October 2024 to a surety who pledged $7,000 to get him out of jail.

He is accused of assault by choking, along with three counts of sexual assault and sexual interference, according to police, who said, at the time of his arrest, Arends told a group of girls he was 17 and provided alcohol to them.

It is alleged he had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl. Police said Arends was about 21 at the time of the allegations.

Court documents obtained by CTV News show Arends was previously arrested, accused of similar incidents involving teenage girls. He was arrested 16 months ago when police said more victims came forward.

Arends is scheduled to return to a virtual courtroom Friday in Orillia. The allegations against him have not been tested in court.