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A significant sexual assault trial involving five former players from Canada’s world junior hockey team is set to commence on Tuesday.
The accused—Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton—face charges relating to an alleged group sexual assault that reportedly occurred in 2018 in London, Ontario, following a Hockey Canada gala event. Notably, McLeod is also charged with being a party to the offence of sexual assault.
All five players are anticipated to contest the charges, pleading not guilty. The trial will be overseen by Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia in London and is projected to last several weeks.
The allegations first emerged publicly in May 2022, after TSN disclosed that Hockey Canada had reached a settlement in a civil suit filed by the female complainant. This revelation propelled a wave of scrutiny onto Hockey Canada, ultimately resulting in the resignation of the entire board and leadership team.
Subsequent to the civil lawsuit, London Police had initially concluded their investigation in 2019 without laying any charges. However, they reopened the case three years later, leading to the current charges against the players. In February 2024, Police Chief Thai Truong issued an apology to the victim, acknowledging that it was unacceptable for the case to take such a prolonged period to reach this stage. He and other officers have refrained from providing specific details in order to protect the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings.
As this high-profile trial unfolds, it is expected to draw considerable attention across Canada, reflecting broader concerns regarding accountability and the culture within sports organizations.
Source
globalnews.ca