A 35-year-old man from Whitby has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault and harassment of a woman he met through an online dating platform. Toronto Police announced the arrest on Friday, stating that the accused, John Haylock, allegedly met the victim through a Facebook dating application and subsequently met her in person in the West Hill area of Scarborough.
Incident Details
According to police, the alleged assault occurred on April 1 in the vicinity of Lawrence Avenue East and Homestead Road, east of Morningside Road. The victim reportedly agreed to meet the suspect after connecting via the dating app. Following the assault, police allege that Haylock engaged in a pattern of harassing behavior directed at the woman.
Investigators identified Haylock as a suspect and took him into custody on April 27. He now faces one count of sexual assault and two counts of criminal harassment. The charges have not been proven in court.
Digital Platforms Used
Police believe that Haylock may have used multiple digital platforms to contact potential victims. These include Facebook, Facebook Dating, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and various other dating applications. Authorities are concerned that there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
In an effort to identify any other individuals who may have had contact with Haylock, either online or in person, investigators have released a photograph of the accused. They urge anyone with information to come forward.
Police Appeal for Information
Toronto Police are asking anyone with information about this case or other potential incidents involving Haylock to contact them at 416-808-4300. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Police emphasize that all digital interactions, including those on dating apps, should be approached with caution, and they encourage victims of similar crimes to report them.
John Haylock, 35, of Whitby, is currently in custody and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date. The investigation remains ongoing.
