TORONTO – Former CBC radio host Jian Ghomeshi will head to trial next year for allegations of sexual assault after the second day of pre-trial hearings wrapped up in Toronto on Friday.
He was accompanied by his lawyer Marie Henein and walked by reporters without saying a word as they entered and left Old City Hall.
Ghomeshi pleaded not guilty to all sexual assault charges and a choking charge during his court appearance on Thursday.
Following the plea, the public was asked to leave the courtroom for the in-camera portion of the pre-trial proceeding which is under a publication ban.
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The court dealt with a motion in private Thursday and Friday.
The former Q host was arraigned on four counts of sexual assault and one of choking stemming from three alleged victims. Ghomeshi’s trial begins Feb. 1, 2016 and will be by judge only.
READ MORE: CBC management condoned Jian Ghomeshi’s behaviour: report
Ghomeshi is also facing one charge of sexual assault that is being tried separately. That trial is scheduled to begin next June.
Crown prosecutors in May dropped two charges against the former CBC radio host due to a lack of evidence to convict.
Ghomeshi had previously denied the allegations of sexual assault in multiple Facebook posts and said while he engaged in rough sex, his relationships with women were consensual.
The public broadcaster fired Ghomeshi, 48, on Oct. 26, 2014 after seeing what it called “graphic evidence” that he had caused physical injury to a woman.
READ MORE: CBC ‘severing ties’ with 2 executives ahead of report on Jian Ghomeshi scandal
With a file from The Canadian Press
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