London police apologize for delay in sexual assault case involving World Junior hockey players
CTV
The five members of 2018 Canadian World Junior hockey team that won a gold medal did not appear in person for their first court appearance in London, Ont. on Monday.
The five members of 2018 Canadian World Junior hockey team that won a gold medal did not appear in person for their first court appearance in London, Ont. on Monday.
Instead, the lawyers for Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Michael McLeod spoke on behalf of their clients. They all face sexual assault charges stemming from an alleged sexual assault involving a woman in 2018.
The matter was the first thing dealt with in courtroom number four at the London courthouse and it was all over in approximately 20 minutes with no plea being entered at the time.
Later in the day at RBC Place, the London Police Service spoke publicly about the case for the first time at a news conference.
Many of the questions from the media surrounded the delay in getting to this point.
“It’s not something that I’m happy about that it took six years,” said London Police Chief Thai Truong. “Our members are not happy about this either and that is why I want to apologize to the victim and her family.”
In June of 2018, the five accused were in London for a Hockey Canada golf tournament and gala months after their gold medal win. Despite a police investigation following a complaint from the woman, no charges were laid at the time.
