Noah Corson, the son of former NHLer Shayne Corson was found guilty on Friday morning of sexually assaulting a minor under the age of 16.
The trial took place in November 2023 in Drummondville, Que., and the identity of the victim is subject to a publication order, according to a CBC report.
According to the report, the prosecution and the defence agreed that Noah Corson had taken part in a group sexual activity involving two other hockey players in the residence of the alleged victim.
However, the trial was more focused on the consent of the complainant, as well as if they checked to find out her age.
Noah Corson, 25, tried to assure the court that he was convinced that the alleged victim was at least 18 years old, while the prosecutor argued that Corson “showed recklessness” or “willful blindness.”
The legal age of consent for group sexual activity is 16 in Quebec.
In his verdict, Judge Paul Dunnigan said that the accused did not take all reasonable measures that he should have taken in the circumstances to know the true age of the complainant and that in these circumstances, the judge did not need to decide the question of consent.
According to CBC, the judgment was greeted with joy by some people who were present and Corson left the courtroom with his hands on his face.
Corson is scheduled to return to court on May 3 for submissions on sentencing.