Former RCMP worker alleging sex assault recounts 'shocking' washroom encounter

The woman accusing former RCMP spokesman Tim Shields of sexual assault testified today that he locked them both in a unisex bathroom and tried to have sex with her after rejecting his advances.

At the trial today at B.C. provincial court, the woman, whose name is protected by a publication ban, says she felt uncomfortable and embarrassed in the summer of 2009 when then-Inspector Tim Shields told her he was attracted to her and had been for some time.

"He wanted to know if I felt the same way. I said no. His reaction was quiet. Kind of a look of rejection."

She says that after she rebuffed him, Shields asked her not to tell anyone because it would be "bad for him."

Later she said, "I spoke to him about how uncomfortable I was and that I told somebody and I'd like it to stop."

Shields is on trial for one count of sexual assault at the trial, which began earlier this month and has been plagued by procedural delays and questions about the admissibility of some key evidence.

At the time of the alleged assault, Shields was the public face of the RCMP in British Columbia as the department's spokesman. Shields left the RCMP in late 2015 and was charged five months later.

Locked in the bathroom

Despite her rejection, the woman told the court Shields persisted in his sexual advances.

One day after a managerial review meeting at the RCMP headquarters, which was in Vancouver at the time, the woman testified Shields told her he had something he wanted to tell her.

He led her into a unisex bathroom on the main floor and locked them both inside. She testified he started kissing her, reached under her blouse, undid her bra and fondled her.

Then, when he undid a button on her pants she told him to stop. 

"When he was about to unzip my pants I pushed his hands away and I said no, this is a bathroom," she testified.

"He said we could have sex right here on the counter. I said no, this is a washroom at work," she told the court.

"I felt uncomfortable, shocked. The whole scene was disgusting and weird," she told the court.

Just as she though they were leaving, instead he stepped back, undid his pants and exposed himself and placed her hand on him, she testified.

"I just had this oh my God feeling. I remember him taking my hand... I was frozen and not doing it," she said.

Afterwards he washed up, and asked her to check the hallway before slipping out the door.

After bathroom incident she testified,"I couldn't believe what had just happened in my workplace. I felt gross."

"He phoned me. I remember him talking about how hot everything was ...I don't recall saying much, if anything … It was an open office area and I just wanted to get off the phone."