A social worker accused of shaving a former client’s testicles while he slept, threatening him and then holding him against his will in his Lytton home took the stand in B.C. Supreme Court today (Jan. 13), denying all of the allegations against him.
Michael Hume is facing one count each of sexual assault, forcible confinement and uttering threats stemming from an alleged incident in 2013.
The complainant, who cannot be identified due to a court order that protects his identity, testified through tears last week about waking up naked on Aug. 8, 2013, after a drinking session to find Hume, his former social worker, shaving off most of his body hair.
The complainant said he reluctantly accepted a ride from Hume to his house the night before after drinking at a friend’s house.
He otherwise faced a long walk home.
Taking the stand in his own defence, Hume said none of the allegations are true.
“Did you shave this man?” asked defence lawyer Richard Kaiser.
“Absolutely not,” Hume replied.
“Did you threaten this man?” Kaiser asked.
“Absolutely not,” Hume responded.
“Did you confine him within your home at any time?” Kaiser asked.
“Absolutely not,” Hume said.
According to Hume, the complainant, a man in his 20s, had threatened to ruin his reputation in the small Fraser Canyon community if he wouldn’t hand over cash.
“He says, ‘I want you to give me $200,'” Hume said.
“I said, ‘I’m not giving you $200.’
“He said, ‘I’ll pick up the phone and I’ll actually destroy your reputation if you don’t give me $200.’
“I told him it’s not an option.”
Hume said he then gave the complainant a ride to his cousin’s house.
Under cross-examination from Kaiser earlier this week, the complainant denied attempting to extort Hume.
The jury has been told police found the complainant’s shaven body hair inside Hume’s vacuum cleaner.
Earlier in the trial, the chief of the Lytton First Nation testified Hume arrived in the community 10 years ago, working first as a youth and recreational counsellor and later assisting with restorative justice and helping young band members — including the complainant — navigate the legal system.
Hume said he earned a degree in human-services from University College of the Cariboo in 1985.
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