Thursday, February 5, 2026
ADVT 
National

Defence continues cross-examining complainant at hockey players' sex assault trial

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 May, 2025 11:03 AM
  • Defence continues cross-examining complainant at hockey players' sex assault trial

A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team is facing more questions today on what happened at a downtown London, Ont., bar where she first encountered some of the accused.

The woman, who cannot be identified under a publication ban, has been on the stand since last Friday in the trial of Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote.

All five have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, and McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

defence lawyer for Formenton is cross-examining the woman today on the time she spent at Jack's bar on June 18, 2018, before leaving with McLeod to go to the hotel where he and his teammates were staying.

Court has heard McLeod and several other members of the 2018 world junior team went to the bar that night after attending a gala celebrating their championship victory.

The woman has testified that she and McLeod had sex in his hotel room, an encounter that is not part of the trial, and that she was naked and afraid when men she didn't know started coming into the room afterward.

She described going on "autopilot" and feeling like she was watching herself from outside her body as she engaged in sexual acts with the men.

The defence, meanwhile, has suggested the woman asked McLeod to call his friends into the room because she wanted a "wild night," and that she later invited the men to have sex with her.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne

MORE National ARTICLES

Whales migrations changed as seas warmed. But can they keep pace with climate change?

Whales migrations changed as seas warmed. But can they keep pace with climate change?
The Canadian lead author of a new study on the migration of humpback whales is sounding the alarm on how climate change could spell trouble for the species.

Whales migrations changed as seas warmed. But can they keep pace with climate change?

Carney back on the campaign trail today after making Trump-related detour

Carney back on the campaign trail today after making Trump-related detour
Liberal Leader Mark Carney is back on the road today after making a detour to Ottawa for meetings about U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariffs.

Carney back on the campaign trail today after making Trump-related detour

Trump's tariffs trigger two-week shutdown at Stellantis assembly plant in Windsor

Trump's tariffs trigger two-week shutdown at Stellantis assembly plant in Windsor
Automaker Stellantis is temporarily pausing production at its assembly plant in Windsor, Ont., for two weeks as it assesses the effects of the recently announced U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles.

Trump's tariffs trigger two-week shutdown at Stellantis assembly plant in Windsor

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will match U.S. auto tariffs

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will match U.S. auto tariffs
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will match U.S. President Donald Trump's 25 per cent auto tariffs with a levy on vehicles imported from the United States.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will match U.S. auto tariffs

Coquihalla Highway northbound closed between Hope and Merritt, B.C.

Coquihalla Highway northbound closed between Hope and Merritt, B.C.
The Coquihalla Highway is closed to northbound traffic between Hope and Merritt, B.C., due to a "vehicle incident."

Coquihalla Highway northbound closed between Hope and Merritt, B.C.

Mark Carney suspending campaign to hold meetings on Trump tariffs

Mark Carney suspending campaign to hold meetings on Trump tariffs
Liberal Leader Mark Carney is pausing his federal election campaign and returning to Ottawa for meetings as prime minister ahead of Wednesday's announcement on U.S. tariffs.

Mark Carney suspending campaign to hold meetings on Trump tariffs