Man awaiting sentencing in Windsor, Ont., is also on trial for a charge related to drag queen storytime

WARNING: This story contains derogatory and offensive language.

A London man awaiting sentencing in Windsor is on trial in Ontario for another charge related to anti-2SLGBTQ+ protesting — this time outside a drag queen story hour near London. 

Bubba Christopher Pollock was charged with harassment for allegedly approaching a same-sex couple and their children outside the event at Parkhill library on April 29, 2023.

On Friday, the Ontario Court of Justice heard Pollock approached the family with another man who was carrying a sign that said, "Kill pedophiles."

The witness testified he was entering the North Middlesex library with his husband and children when Pollock approached him alongside a man wearing a balaclava.

The witness — who can't be named due to a publication ban — said Pollock approached him with his cell phone camera a few inches from his face.

Video shown in court depicts someone following the family while filming on a cellphone, saying, "F-cking pedos. Dirty pedos. Groomer. Lots of groomers here. What's up, pedo?" 

The witness said he told Pollock he didn't want to fight and pushed past him to go into the library. Two or three days later, he reported the incident to police. 

Pollock is currently awaiting sentencing in a Windsor case. 

He pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge of criminal harassment after he travelled to Windsor to Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare. There, he took a selfie with the unconscious, terminally ill father of a 2SLGBTQ+ advocate and posted it in a Facebook comment thread.

Lawyer suggests accused wasn't blocking family

At the trial on Friday, Pollock's lawyer, Laura Ellis, suggested Pollock wasn't blocking the family's way and the witness bumped into him.

She also suggested the interaction happened closer to the family vehicle, where there was more space than the confined area by the door.

The witness told the court that his children were visibly upset when they got into the library. He and his spouse tried to distract them with the crafts and activities set out for the kids.

"My youngest was crying," he said, while his older child "was just agitated and didn't understand what was happening."

"They just needed some reassurance that they were fine and that we were indoors and in a safe place, and that we would be there all the time, as much as they needed — needed hugs or just to be near us."

He said his children are still fearful that protesters will be at events attended by the family.

The husband had similar testimony.

After the incident, he said, police advised them not to let the kids walk in their neighbourhoods or ride their bikes without supervision.

"I started to appreciate there was more of a risk to our personal safety," he said.

Drag queen story times have been a flashpoint between activists both for and against the events, spurring debate over whether they are appropriate for children.

The Crown called two witnesses on Friday. Pollock's lawyer didn't call any.

During the testimony, a handful of Pollock supporters sat behind him in the gallery. He was wearing a grey suit and sat quietly with his hands folded in his lap.

The judge-only trial continues Thursday when the court sets a date for closing submissions. 

Justice George Louis Orsini is presiding and Shane Wright is representing the Crown.