Trainer sent teen lewd text messages
Mike McCormick faces several charges in a case involving a girl under 18
Michael McCormick allegedly sent a message “now it is legal,” to a teen on her 18th birthday, Peterborough assistant Crown attorney Lisa Wannamaker said as she opened her case against the well-known personal trainer on Friday.
McCormick, who is charged with sexual exploitation, sexual assault, making explicit material available to a child, child luring and possession of child pornography, pleaded not guilty to all five charges at the commencement of his trial before Justice Jennifer Broderick.
In her opening statement, Wannamaker said the alleged offences took place more than five years ago when the teen was 17 and McCormick was 35.
The woman’s name and information that could identify her, including names of witnesses, are protected by a publication ban.
According to Wannamaker, McCormick was the woman’s personal trainer for several years and they developed a sexual relationship before her 18th birthday, and during a period of time while McCormick was in a position of trust.
In her opening address, Wannamaker referenced two text messages, including one from the woman that asked McCormick “is this even legal,” and one from McCormick on the woman’s birthday saying “now it is legal.”
The woman’s father, the Crown’s first witness, offered insight on how McCormick became his daughter’s personal trainer.
“He was highly recommended,” the father testified.
McCormick, also known as Spike, is a former professional hockey player who has trained several high-profile athletes. He owned and operated Top Performance
Training.
“He took interest in her. She idolized him,” he said, adding that when it came to her training and nutrition his daughter only listened to McCormick’s advice.
The father said he bonded with McCormick.
“We certainly trusted him as parents. It never crossed our minds that she wasn’t in good hands.”
The father said he had zero indications that McCormick had a relationship with his daughter until she came forward.
The woman’s sister also testified on Friday that her sister had complete trust in McCormick.
“She would listen to his advice over theirs (parents),” the sister told the court.
Det. Const. Mark MacDonell testified that he arrested McCormick on June 11, 2019. The officer pulled McCormick over around 1 p.m. and arrested him for sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
“He appeared shocked,” MacDonell told the court, adding that McCormick said “I know what this is about.”
McCormick was brought to the police station, and later that day lead detective Michael Penney and Const. Sean Nusink interviewed McCormick for nearly two hours.
A video of the interview was played in court.
In the early stages of the interview, McCormick refused to answer any questions put forth by the officers, stating several times, “I am going to take the advice of my lawyer and not talk.”
Both officers continued to press McCormick, telling the accused he owed his wife, the woman and her family answers.
McCormick gave the officers little but did say he hoped the woman would always be happy and have a good life.
“I care about her whole family’s well being,” he said. “They will get answers and find out everything that happened from me.”
Near the end of the interview, McCormick acknowledged that he and the woman did share intimate images.
He said he “absolutely did not” share the photos with anybody else.
“I deleted anything she ever sent me,” he told the officers.
Further, he told police he wanted any photos he sent her destroyed.
However, he wouldn’t say how many images were shared or who shared photos first.
McCormick also declined to answer any questions about whether or not he and the woman were intimate.
“I have to shut it down. I can’t touch on anything else,” he said.
The trial resumes on March 30, 2021.