Skip to Main content

13.9°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Sep 2, 2022 8:58 PM - The Canadian Press

Former Whitecaps women's coach to apologize in court for sex offences: Lawyer

Share On

A former coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian national youth soccer teams is expected to make a public apology today in court for sex crimes.

Bob Birarda pleaded guilty in February to three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual touching for offences involving four soccer players who were under 18 at the time of the incidents between 1988 and 2008.

His lawyer Bill Smart told a sentencing hearing in provincial court in North Vancouver that the former coach, who was dismissed by both the Whitecaps and Canada Soccer in 2008, will make a statement today.

Smart is arguing Birarda should face a total one-year sentence, consisting of eight months in jail and a four-month conditional sentence order, while the Crown has recommended two years less a day, a cumulative sentence for the offences, plus three years' probation.

Latest news

three-dead-16-injured-in-calgary-bus-crash-and-explosion

AlbertaOct 16, 2026

Three Dead, 16 Injured in Calgary Bus Crash and Explosion

Three people have died and 16 others, including a police officer, were injured in a bus collision and fire in Calgary on Thursday. All three deceased were passengers on the same bus. Two of the victims have been identified, while the identity of the third is still being confirmed. According to police, the crash involved two transit buses and several other vehicles in the northeastern part of the city. A bus carrying compressed natural gas tanks caught fire, followed by a powerful explosion within seconds. One bus driver managed to escape unharmed, while the driver of the second bus was taken t

punjab-and-haryana-high-court-clears-bhagwant-manns-proposed-france-visit

IndiaOct 16, 2026

Punjab and Haryana High Court Clears Bhagwant Mann’s Proposed France Visit

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has overturned the Centre’s decision to deny political clearance for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s proposed visit to France. According to reports, Mann may now leave for France tomorrow. The Union Ministry of External Affairs had refused permission, citing security concerns and the absence of a formal invitation from the French government. The Punjab government challenged the Centre’s decision in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court’s ruling today has provided relief to the state government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is scheduled to

burnaby-man-sentenced-to-3-5-years-in-prison-for-online-sextortion-of-teenage-girls

Burnaby Man Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison for Online Sextortion of Teenage Girls

A 22-year-old man from Burnaby has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for online sextortion involving underage girls. The accused, Anwar Jelassi, obtained nude images from eight or nine girls aged 15 to 18 whom he met on social media between October 2022 and December 2023. The victims were from Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. He threatened to expose their images to extort money from them. According to reports, Jelassi sent an online message to a 17-year-old victim from Ontario who refused to pay him, threatening to ruin her life until her entire family had seen her nude images

eby-slams-b-c-conservatives-warns-their-promises-could-leave-5b-budget-hole

Eby Slams B.C. Conservatives, Warns Their Promises Could Leave $5B Budget Hole

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby has launched a sharp attack on the B.C. Conservative Party during an election rally in Coquitlam, as the provincial election campaign enters its final stretch. Eby accused B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson of making promises that could create a massive $5 billion hole in the provincial budget, claiming the party has no clear roadmap to cover the shortfall. According to Eby, the consequences of the Conservatives’ proposals would be particularly damaging to the province’s education and health-care sectors. Outlining his own party’s plans, Eby said his govern

canada-updates-express-entry-rules-for-pr-offering-more-points-for-high-wage-jobs

CanadaOct 16, 2026

Canada Updates Express Entry Rules for PR, Offering More Points for High-Wage Jobs

Canada has introduced changes to its Express Entry system for permanent residency (PR), giving additional points to candidates with Canadian work experience or job offers in high-wage sectors such as engineering. According to an announcement made by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab on Friday, candidates with Canadian work experience or qualifying high-wage job offers will receive additional points under the updated system. The government will define a high-wage job as one that pays at least 1.3 times the national median wage. Candidates with higher-paying job offers will be eligible for

Related News

Burnaby Man Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison for Online Sextortion of Teenage Girls

Burnaby Man Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison for Online Sextortion of Teenage Girls

A 22-year-old man from Burnaby has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for online sextortion involving underage girls. The accused, Anwar Jelassi, obtained nude images from eight or nine girls aged 15 to 18 whom he met on social media between October 2022 and December 2023. The victims were from Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. He threatened to expose their images to extort money from them. According to reports, Jelassi sent an online message to a 17-year-old victim from Ontario who refused to pay him, threatening to ruin her life until her entire family had seen her nude images

Eby Slams B.C. Conservatives, Warns Their Promises Could Leave $5B Budget Hole

Eby Slams B.C. Conservatives, Warns Their Promises Could Leave $5B Budget Hole

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby has launched a sharp attack on the B.C. Conservative Party during an election rally in Coquitlam, as the provincial election campaign enters its final stretch. Eby accused B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson of making promises that could create a massive $5 billion hole in the provincial budget, claiming the party has no clear roadmap to cover the shortfall. According to Eby, the consequences of the Conservatives’ proposals would be particularly damaging to the province’s education and health-care sectors. Outlining his own party’s plans, Eby said his govern

Punjabi Candidates Set for Electoral Contests in Surrey’s B.C. Ridings

Punjabi Candidates Set for Electoral Contests in Surrey’s B.C. Ridings

An interesting contest is expected between the BC Conservatives and the BC NDP in several Surrey ridings ahead of British Columbia’s October 24 provincial election. Both major parties have fielded prominent candidates from the Punjabi community. In Surrey-Fleetwood, former minister Jagrup Brar is running for the BC NDP against BC Conservative candidate Gary Purewal. In Surrey-Serpentine River, Conservative candidate Jessie Sahota will face BC NDP candidate Sikander Kang, a physiotherapist by profession. In Surrey-Newton, BC NDP candidate Jessie Sunner is contesting against Conservative candi

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital