A Toronto police officer has pleaded guilty to lesser charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman he recruited as a confidential informant. Andrew Corkill, 50, was sentenced to nine months of house arrest following his resignation from the police force, which took effect last week.

The woman, who came forward in 2024 after seeing Corkill's name in the media related to another misconduct case, expressed in a victim impact statement, "His abuse of power and misconduct have caused me profound harm and shaken my foundation. I was vulnerable at the time, and he took advantage of that vulnerability."

Corkill, a constable since 2001, had been suspended with pay since September 2023 due to separate criminal charges for overbilling paid duty customers. Those charges were previously stayed. Earlier, he had pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct for harassing a domestic violence victim he encountered while on duty, resulting in a six-month demotion.

With Corkill's resignation, any outstanding police misconduct charges related to these cases will not be pursued. The woman who accused Corkill of sexual assault had been arrested by Toronto police in October 2010 on various charges, including possession of cocaine for trafficking. She was taken to the 51 Division station, where Corkill was working, and placed in an interview room.

While she was in custody, Corkill, who was not involved in her case, entered the room and discussed the possibility of her becoming a confidential informant. Later that day, she agreed and signed the necessary paperwork. From that point, Corkill became her handler.

The Crown stated that Corkill violated Toronto Police Service policy by meeting with the informant alone on multiple occasions, as all such meetings are required to include a second officer. He also failed to document these meetings. Over the next nine months, Corkill and the woman, who was still facing criminal charges, developed a sexual relationship.

Corkill's attorney, Peter Brauti, argued that while the relationship was inappropriate, it was consensual and maintained that there was no evidence Corkill received any information from her. The sexual assault charge was withdrawn by the Crown during the proceedings.

In her victim impact statement, the complainant said, "I felt abused by him. It took me years to report this incident because of the fear, shame, and confusion I felt."

Corkill's house arrest will permit him to leave his residence only for employment, legal meetings, and errands during a three-hour window on Saturday mornings. He will also serve one year of probation and must complete 100 hours of community service.

Brauti informed the court that Corkill was diagnosed with PTSD and a depressive disorder in 2003 due to his experiences as a police officer and has been receiving treatment since then. In a previous case, Corkill was found to have given his personal number to a domestic violence victim, which made her uncomfortable. She later blocked his number but discovered he had contacted the shelter where she and her daughter were staying in search of her.

In a ruling regarding that case, hearing officer Supt. Shane Branton stated, "Constable Corkill violated the public trust with his pattern of behaviour."