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Following the verdict, Mills told the jury to never discuss the reasons for their verdict outside of the jury room. After the jury was dismissed, the case was adjourned to Friday morning for discussions about sentencing.

Crown prosecutor Tamara Rock said outside court the sentencing range for a major sexual assault starts at three years.

She said the complainant is relieved and grateful for the jury’s verdict.

“This was a hard factual case; it had a major memory loss due to intoxication. But I see that society is being more and more receptive to the voices of people who have experienced sexual violence and I think that this is reflected in this decision and it’s a very encouraging decision,” Rock said.

“We had a very brave and strong complainant in the case. Regardless of the verdict I was so pleased that his voice could be heard and I’m hopeful that his experience will allow people who have experienced sexual violence to come forward.”

In her closing arguments, Rock argued the complainant, a then 22-year-old friend of Anderson’s, was too intoxicated to consent to sex on July 11, 2016. Rock questioned how the man could consent, pointing to evidence that he was too drunk to hold himself above the hot tub water and had to be removed.

Anderson testified he knew the man was intoxicated because he helped put him into a spare bedroom.

Friends testified that the complainant was touching and kissing Anderson in the hot tub earlier that night. On the stand, Anderson admitted that he became aroused.