This archive report was first published on 19 December 2019.
December 19, 2019, marked a significant day in the life of Joshua Boyle, a 36-year-old Canadian who was once held hostage by the Taliban. However, his ordeal did not end there. Boyle was accused of 19 charges, including assault, sexual assault, and making death threats against his wife, Caitlan Coleman, and another person.
The charges stemmed from the months following the couple's return to Canada in 2017, after being held captive for five years. The court has taken measures to protect the identity of the second alleged victim.
During the trial, Ontario Court Judge Peter Doody expressed skepticism about the credibility of both Boyle and his wife. He stated, "I do not believe her, just as I do not believe Mr. Boyle," in court.
Boyle and Coleman's story began in 2011, when they married. Their lives took a dramatic turn in 2012, when they were kidnapped by the Taliban during a backpacking trip through Afghanistan. They were later transferred to the custody of the Taliban-allied Haqqani network.
The couple was finally freed in October 2017, along with their three young children, who were born in captivity. A fourth child was born after their release. However, their freedom was short-lived, as Boyle's actions in the months following their return to Canada led to his arrest.
The case against Boyle began with a 911 call he made in December 2017, claiming that his wife was mentally unstable and might harm herself. However, this call triggered a police investigation that ultimately led to his charges.
