Accused High Park sex attacker was on probation at time of June assault

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Police have a man in custody following a sexual assault in High Park last month.

Speaking to reporters Thursday morning from inside the park, Sex Crimes Det. Adrian Pileggi said the victim was walking alone on a paved pathway at around 10:40 p.m. on June 4 near Howard Park Ave. and Parkside Dr. when she was approached from behind by an assailant.

“The suspect dragged her into a wooded area of the park where she was sexually assaulted,” he said, adding the victim managed to escape and sought help from a passer-by.

The perpetrator fled the scene before police arrived.

Investigators identified the suspect as 35-year-old Cortny Henry of Toronto, arresting him on Wednesday and charging him with a slew of crimes — including overcoming resistance by choking, sexual assault causing bodily harm, robbery and uttering threats.

Henry was also charged with failure to comply with probation.

He made his first court appearance Thursday morning.

Pileggi declined to offer further information on the case as it’s currently before the courts, but did confirm Henry does have a criminal record and was on probation at the time of Wednesday’s assault — but declined to elaborate on his past offences.

Police released a photo of the accused, as they’re concerned he may be linked to other assaults and ask anyone with information to contact police.

TPS Supt. Andrew Ecklund acknowledged the trauma and harm the assault had not only had on the victim, but also the community.

“High Park is one of the city’s most cherished public spaces, and this assault understandably caused fear and concern to the community,” he said.

“We continue to have officers patrolling the area, and remain engaged with local residents.”

Henry, Ecklund said, was arrested “outside of the city,” and are concerned he may be linked to other assaults both within and outside of Toronto.

“We haven’t received any other reports of any other assaults in this park,” he said.

Sex crimes within High Park are “very rare,” Ecklund said.

“High Park is a safe park,” he said, adding Torontonians may see a higher-than-normal police presence in the park over the summer.

“Once this incident occurred, we upped our patrols and resources dedicated to the park, so you’ll see police officers and our auxiliary officers patrolling the park on a regular basis.”

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