A former long-time employee of the Calgary Stampede’s performance group The Young Canadians told the primary child abuse investigator he felt “like a monster.”
“I feel like a horrible human being.”
The statement was made during a three-hour interview at Calgary police headquarters on June 4, 2015.
The videotaped interview with Det. Paul Ralstin of the Calgary Police Child Abuse Unit began playing in court Monday.
READ MORE: Young Canadians employee charged with sex assault of teen performers
Philip Heerema has pleaded not guilty to the 20 charges he faces, which include sexual assault and making child pornography.
There are eight victims named in the case. The allegations date back to 1992 and continue to 2014.
Watch below from Jan. 15: Philip Heerema is accused of sexual abuse against teenage boys who were a part of The Young Canadians performance group. Nancy Hixt has reaction from the Calgary Stampede.
During the interview, Ralstin took Heerema through the allegations he was facing and told him about evidence found on electronics seized from his home.
“There were some photos that were concerning…younger males…teenage males,” Ralstin told Heerema.
“Did you want to identify who they are?” Ralstin asked.
“I prefer not to say anything at this time,” Heerema responded.
Ralstin took Heerema through text and Facebook messages alleged to have gone back and forth with the victims.
“It’s consistent. It’s grooming. It’s classic pedophile behaviour,” Ralstin told Heerema.
“My fear is there are dozens of victims.”
In the final hour of the interview, Heerema began to open up to the detective.
“I looked at them as friends,” Heerema said.
He told the detective he struggled with relationships and his own sexuality.
Heerema described one incident, saying, “It was on New Year’s Eve and I was drunk.”
“I had a few and unfortunately I guess I wasn’t thinking very clearly,” he told Ralstin.
Heerema said from that day on, he never drank again, with the exception of “two gluten-free beers.”
Heerema admitted to Ralstin photos were shared between boys, but he said he never shared those photos with anyone else.
One of the complainants in the case testified Tuesday afternoon. His identity is protected by a court-imposed publication ban.
The man testified he was with The Young Canadians for two years; he left the group in the 1990s.
He said he spent a lot of time with Heerema.
“Phil was a cool guy. It was cool to be friends with Phil.”
He said Heerema would stop by his home for visits and brought him Christmas and birthday gifts, including boxer shorts and cologne.
Historical photos were shown in court of the victim when he was a teen. He wore the boxer shorts and posed with Heerema in two of the photos.
The man, now in his 40s, said he contacted the RCMP in 2015 after hearing media reports that Heerema had been charged.
“I started getting text messages and phone calls from people,” he said.
He then gave a statement and interview with police.
The man testified about an incident with Heerema right before he was about to move away to go to college.
He told court Heerema wanted to take him out for a “going away dinner.”
Afterwards he said they “took a drive out to Heritage Park.”
He testified they both got out of the car and walked by the water as the sun was setting, then sat down on the grass.
“He then asked me to lay back…he was on the right side of me.”
“He then leaned over on his left elbow, he put his hand on my stomach…He then pushed his hand down my pants…over my penis…over my underwear, but under my jeans.”
The victim said he was shocked.
“I jumped up. He jumped up. It was pretty awkward.”
He said he asked Heerema to drive him home and that was the end of his direct contact with the accused.
“I’m going to suggest this incident never occurred,” defence lawyer Allan Fay said during cross-examination.
“I disagree,” the victim replied.
The trial continues Tuesday, then will adjourn until Jan. 23.
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