Kingston sexual assault trial: accused claims roughly 1,500 partners under cross-examination

Michael Haaima, 42, faces Crown cross-examination in his lengthy Kingston trial on dozens of sexual assault charges. He estimated having had about 1,500 sexual partners.

Crown presses Haaima on 1,500 partners claim in Kingston sex assault marathon trial

Warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual violence.

Michael Haaima, 42, estimated he has had roughly 1,500 sexual partners as Crown cross-examination began Friday in his protracted sexual assault trial at Kingston's Superior Court of Justice, cbc.ca reports.

Haaima spent approximately seven days testifying in his own defence before assistant Crown attorney Megan Williams began her questioning. His lawyer, Natasha Calvinho, had led that testimony, covering charges that range from sexual assaults involving weapons to offences against minors.

The trial originated with 98 charges. Haaima pleaded guilty to two when proceedings got underway in May 2025. Last week, eight charges were stayed after two complainants chose not to proceed; a ninth was stayed by the Crown on Thursday.

"No strings attached"

Williams opened her cross-examination by asking Haaima to define the term "friends with benefits" in his own words. He replied that it means "hooking up" with "no strings attached" — sex and "cuddles," he added, provided everyone is consenting. He agreed that in some cases women he had initially paid for sex later became friends with benefits, and stressed that arrangement was distinct from a relationship in his view.

Asked about the phrase "not age-appropriate," Haaima stated he considers sex with anyone aged 15 to 17 inappropriate. He acknowledged last week that he had entered into a relationship with a 15-year-old when he was 23. He also discussed sexual contact with other teenagers, saying they had told him they were 18 and that he believed them.

The 1,500 figure

When Williams asked how many sexual partners he had been with in total, Haaima initially said he did not know, then settled on an estimate of roughly 1,500. Williams described that as a "huge number," suggesting the scale explains why he could not recall the names of some complainants. Haaima said he is better at remembering faces than names and recognised only two of the complainants when they entered the courtroom to testify.

Haaima also told the court he would use condoms if a partner asked him to, and estimated he may have contracted chlamydia as many as 20 times.

Earlier in his defence testimony, Haaima described engaging in as many as 15 sexual encounters in a single week and having contact with multiple women simultaneously over periods lasting months or years. He declined to call those interactions relationships.

Childhood and background

Williams also questioned Haaima about his youth, including a vampire-themed game he played as a teenager and the blurring of bloodlust with sexual desire. The Crown pressed him further on childhood drug use and stealing from family members — conduct he acknowledged eventually led to him being removed from his home. He described a period of "deep spiralling" following his father's death before he entered rehabilitation.

In response to nearly all of the alleged acts described in the charges, which are linked to more than two dozen complainants, Haaima has consistently answered "No" or "That never happened."

Cross-examination is expected to continue when the trial resumes in November.

Source: Google News JM — Kingston