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TORONTO — Before a packed crowd in an Old City Hall courtroom Thursday, Jacob Hoggard’s journey through the criminal justice system began before a justice of the peace.

The lead singer of the Canadian band Hedley and former Canadian Idol contestant wasn’t present.

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This was but a routine administrative appearance, lasting just a few minutes, and as such, it was enough that his lawyer, Ian Smith, appeared for Hoggard, who lives in Vancouver.

He was charged by Toronto police earlier this week with two counts of sexual assault causing bodily harm — a more serious charge than simple sexual assault, with bodily harm defined in the Criminal Code as any “hurt or injury” to a person that interferes with the person’s health and comfort and is more than transient.

Hurt can include psychological harm.

Hoggard, 34, is also charged with one count of sexual interference, a charge laid only when an alleged victim is under the age of 16.