Wayne Hankey, former Halifax professor accused of historical sex abuse, dies at 77
CBC
A former Halifax professor accused of multiple historical sexual offences has died, a month before his first trial was set to begin.
Wayne John Hankey, 77, was charged with sexual assault, gross indecency and indecent assault involving three male complainants for incidents between 1977 and 1988.
Hankey, a longtime professor at the University of King's College and a former Anglican minister, had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
In a statement on Sunday, King's president Bill Lahey said the university had been made aware of Hankey's death and extended condolences to his family.
"With this news has come some inquiry regarding the independent review process that was established by the university in February 2021. This review, which has always been separate from any criminal justice matters, will proceed," Lahey said.
"King's remains committed to learning from the findings of this process."
CBC confirmed through multiple sources that Hankey died on Saturday.
The three trials were all set to take place this year.
The trial involving the first complainant was scheduled for March 3. In that case, Hankey is accused of sexually assaulting a student in his dorm room at King's in 1988.
The complainant, who was 23 at the time, alleges that Hankey entered his room, straddled him on the bed and grabbed his buttocks and genitals.
The trial involving the second complainant was set for June 6-10, where he was facing charges of indecent assault and gross indecency.
In that case, the complainant, who was 18 at the time, alleges Hankey invited him to go swimming at the campus pool in 1977 and touched his genitals in the shower afterward. Other encounters involving sexualized contact between Hankey and the complainant followed over the next couple of years.
The third case was set for two half-day trials on May 24 and June 23, where Hankey was also charged with indecent assault and gross indecency.
The complainant, who was 18 at the time, alleges he went to Hankey's office on the University of King's College campus for a tutoring session with the professor one day in September of 1982. He says Hankey moved his chair closer to the complainant and put his hand on the complainant's leg under his shorts.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and includes graphic content.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.