Canadian hockey sex assault trial judge says 'Crown cannot meet its onus of proof for the charges'
Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia said the Crown cannot meet its onus of proof for the charges in the case. She is still reading the reasons for her decision and hasn't officially ruled on the charges against each player.
Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in an encounter that took place in a London, Ontario, hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018.
McLeod, who prosecutors allege was the 'ringleader' that night, has also pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.
The players, who are now between the ages of 25 and 27, were in London at the time for a gala and golf tournament marking their championship victory.
Protesters gathered outside a packed London courthouse on Thursday morning, holding signs that signaled support for the complainant.
___
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Consortium 'ready' to buy ailing Morecambe
London-based sports investment company Panjab Warriors have released a statement to say they are "ready, willing and able" to buy Shrimps were suspended by the National League until 20 August on Monday over failing to comply with the league's Warriors have been in talks with the club's owner Jason Whittingham for over a year and a deal had looked set to be concluded earlier this have now said in a joint-statement with minority shareholders, the Shrimps Trust and Lizzi Collinge MP that the National League is ready to sanction the deal and "immediately lift the suspension and embargo should it be agreed". As it stands, Morecambe's fixture away to Boston United on 9 August, their first home game against Brackley Town on 16 August, and the trip to Scunthorpe United on 19 August, will no longer take place as who has been looking to sell the club since 2022, announced a new buyer, named as a consortium led by Jonny Cato, had been found earlier in July, but it remains unclear where that bid also said on Sunday he had "not heard from" Panjab Warriors in the past week and talks with Cato were Lancashire side, who were promoted to League One in 2021, were relegated from League Two last season - their second relegation in the past three seasons.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Man, 31, arrested on suspicion of murder after quadruple stabbing that killed two men at London business
A man aged 31 has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two people were killed in a quadruple stabbing at a London business. The Metropolitan Police announced the charges faced by a man from Hackney, east London, who had initially been detained following Monday's attacks in Southwark. He remains in hospital with injuries not thought to be life-threatening, Scotland Yard said today. Emergency services were called to Long Lane in Bermondsey at about 1pm on Monday following reports of multiple stabbings inside a commercial address. A 58-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene and a 27-year-old man later died in hospital. Two other men, both in their 30s, were also taken to hospital. The Metropolitan Police said the attack was not being treated as terror-related. The stabbings are understood to have taken place near consultancy firm Prospira Global and housing provider Trademark Homes. A resident, who asked not to be named, told the PA news agency: 'It's terrifying. 'I walk past there all the time - it makes you feel really uneasy. 'You just don't expect something like this to happen on a normal weekday.' Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation. Det Chief Supt Emma Bond, who leads policing for the area, said today: 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with the family and friends of the victims of this tragic incident. 'Our investigation continues at pace and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances. 'I understand there may be concern in the local community and there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days. I would also encourage anyone who may be worried to speak to an officer.' A crime scene remains in place and officers continue to investigate the circumstances. The stabbings are understood to have taken place near consultancy firm Prospira Global and housing provider Trademark Homes Police said they were aware of speculation the arrested man was staying at a nearby hotel but that this was not the case. Natasha Ennin, Southwark Council's cabinet member for community safety and neighbourhoods, said she was 'horrified and deeply saddened' by the deaths in the borough. She added that her 'heartfelt condolences' went out to the families and friends of those involved and called on anyone with information to report it. Anyone with information can also call 101, report online or contact 'X'@METCC and quote CAD3499/28.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Tommy Robinson 'flees Britain after station attack': Police confirm 'suspect' boarded flight out of country after man was taken to hospital following 'assault' in St Pancras
Right-wing political activist Tommy Robinson has fled Britain after an investigation was launched into an alleged assault on a man at St Pancras Station, police have confirmed. Detectives are attempting to bring the 42-year-old, from Luton, Bedfordshire, into custody for questioning after he boarded a flight out of the country in the early hours of Tuesday morning. His flight out of Britain comes just hours after footage circulating online showed him pacing back and forth beside the unresponsive man lying face-down on the station concourse. Paramedics rushed to St Pancras Station, in central London, at around 8.40pm last night and the alleged victim was taken to a major trauma centre with 'serious injuries'. In a video shared widely online, Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, appeared to be walking in the background as security were called to help the unconscious man. As stunned bystanders look on, one Good Samaritan can be heard urgently shouting: 'Can we get some help over here!' But Robinson, visibly agitated, throws his arms in the air before turning and walking away down a staircase, repeatedly protesting his innocence. 'He f***ing came at me, bruv,' he yells. 'He come at me bruv, you saw that.' He had earlier posted footage of himself handing out flyers inside the station for an upcoming 'free speech' protest on September 13. A spokesman for British Transport Police (BTP) said today: 'Following a report of an assault at St Pancras station last night (28 July), officers have confirmed that the suspect, a 42-year-old man from Bedfordshire, boarded a flight out of the country in the early hours of this morning. 'Detectives are continuing to work closely to progress the investigation and bring him into custody for questioning.' This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
