Former Young Canadians staffer to plead guilty to teen sex abuse charges mid-trial
Philip Heerema's lawyer told the judge his client will plead guilty Tuesday morning
A guilty plea is expected mid-trial from the former Young Canadians employee charged with 20 sexual abuse offences relating to eight teenage performers.
The lawyer for Philip Heerema, 55, advised the judge that his client planned to resolve the matter by way of a guilty plea Tuesday morning.
The charges include sexual assault, sexual interference, child pornography and luring. It's not yet known which offences Heerema will plead guilty to: one charge dates back to 1992, the others span a nine year period, from 2005 to 2014.
The Young Canadians performance group is made up of high-school students who perform in the Calgary Stampede grandstand show every year.
Heerema was with the group for 36 years, beginning when he was a teenage performer and later as an employee.
The trial, which was to begin its third of four weeks Monday morning, has already heard from several alleged victims, including the first teen to come forward to police in 2014.
Heerema is accused of using his position with the Young Canadians to "groom" the teens. Court heard evidence he struck up friendships with the senior male singers and dancers before taking those relationships to private messages on social media and texts.
The first alleged victim said at Heerema's request he sent nude photos of himself but immediately regretted his decision and told his parents before disclosing the relationship to police.
During his police interrogation, the detective suggested Heerema groomed the boys and exhibited "classic pedophile behaviour" when messaging with the teens.
'I failed them all'
Police told Heerema during that interview that they believed at least one of his relationships had become physical.
Det. Paul Ralstin told the accused police had evidence Heerema and a student had masturbated together and performed oral sex on each other. The alleged incidents took place on the Stampede grounds and in the Young Canadians studio.
Later in the interview, Heerema told the officer he's always struggled with his sexuality. He says he believed his relationships were friendships.
"I never meant anyone harm in my life," said Heerema. "I failed them all, so, yeah, I guess I'm a monster."
On paper, Heerema was an administrator for the school but witnesses have testified he was heavily involved in the day-to-day operations.
The first complainant said the Heerema was involved in almost every aspect of training, trips and performances.
The witness said he felt Heerema was "the most important individual in the program."
Court of Queen's Bench Justice Larry Ackerl was told defence lawyer Allan Fay and prosecutor Martha O'Connor will make a joint submission on sentence.
Fay said he plans to ask for a psychiatric report before a sentencing hearing, which would likely take three to four months.
The Calgary Stampede has said Heerema passed a background check before starting with the Young Canadians.
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