Former Mountie testifies about ‘flirty’ relationship
Former RCMP spokesman Tim Shields says he had a “very flirty” relationship with a former colleague who claims he sexually assaulted her in the workplace.
The colleague, a civilian RCMP employee who cannot be identified due to a publication ban, testified that Shields led her into a unisex washroom that she had never seen before, locked the door, kissed her and said they had chemistry before he undid her bra, touched her breasts, unbuttoned her pants and put her hand on his genitals.
On Tuesday, Shields’ first day of testimony, he told Vancouver provincial court Judge Patrick Doherty that the sexual touching was consensual and that his colleague was an enthusiastic participant. While she claims the bathroom incident took place in September 2009, Shields testified it happened in April of that year.
Under cross-examination Wednesday, he was asked by the Crown what he meant by his relationship being flirty in March and April 2009.
“(She) was dropping by my office unannounced for no specific workrelated purpose,” Shields told the judge. “They were social visits. They started with a hug. The hug evolved over time from friendly to more intimate.”
The former Mountie, who served in the force for 18 years and was at one time the spokesman for the RCMP in B.C., said that the hugging evolved to become “more sensual.”
“The hugs started out as friendly, short, camaraderie-type of hugs. Over time they got longer. There was more body contact. The front of her body was pressed up against the front of my body for longer periods of time. I would feel her hands moving up and down my back, just a little bit.”
Asked by Crown counsel Michelle Booker whether they shared any “sexting,” which she defined as sharing of intimate sexual talk through messages, he said there was no such talk.
He conceded that he’d never bought her a gift — no chocolates, wine, jewelry or flowers.
Asked whether she ever invited him out, he said that while walking from the bathroom incident toward her car, she implied an invitation to her home.
“She said something to the effect of, ‘I know where we can meet next time.’ ”
“You assumed that she meant her home, correct?” said Booker. “Yes,” said Shields. Earlier Wednesday, Shields’ lawyer David Butcher took the accused through a series of emails exchanged between Shields and the colleague after the bathroom incident, which indicated a friendly relationship between the two.
Shields told the judge he’d also met with the colleague in May 2011 after she invited him out to tea at a Cambie Street restaurant.
The hugs started out as friendly, short, camaraderietype of hugs. Over time they got longer. There was more body contact.
“We had a very friendly meeting, sitting across the table from each other. She bought me a London Fog (tea) drink. We chatted about work. We chatted about our personal lives. We laughed, we smiled. We were two friends enjoying each other.”
Butcher is alleging that the colleague and her now-common-law husband were motivated to fabricate the sexual assault allegations for financial gain. The colleague at one point had her sick benefits threatened to be cut off and the husband’s tech business had failed.
On Wednesday, Butcher applied to have the husband recalled for further cross-examination, alleging he had perjured himself during his testimony last Friday. The judge agreed to the application. The husband is expected to resume testimony Thursday. Butcher will then continue his cross-examination.