Tuesday, February 17, 2026
ADVT 
National

Defence lawyers continue submissions at hockey players' sex assault trial

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Jun, 2025 11:30 AM
  • Defence lawyers continue submissions at hockey players' sex assault trial

Defence lawyers for five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team are continuing to hammer at the credibility of the complainant as they make final submissions at the players' sexual assault trial.

A lawyer representing Alex Formenton is arguing that video evidence from the bar where the woman first encountered several of the players contradicts her testimony that she was plied with alcohol and separated from her friends, and that she was extremely intoxicated.

Daniel Brown has repeatedly argued the woman lied or embellished in her testimony, and that her account of what happened evolved over time.

Court heard submissions Monday from lawyers representing Michael McLeod and Carter Hart. 

McLeod's lawyer, David Humphrey, argued the complainant has presented an "entirely unbelievable and unreliable" version of the events at the heart of the trial.

McLeod, Hart, Formenton and their former teammates Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault

McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

The charges relate to an encounter with a woman in a London, Ont., hotel room in June 2018, at a time when many of the team's members were in town for events celebrating their championship win.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne

MORE National ARTICLES

Ottawa defers effective date of capital gains changes to 2026, promises exemptions

Ottawa defers effective date of capital gains changes to 2026, promises exemptions
The federal government says it is deferring the implementation of a hike to the capital gains inclusion rate to next year and plans to introduce new exemptions to ensure most middle-class Canadians do not pay more tax if the rate becomes official. The deferral announced by Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc on Friday delays the implementation of the change from June 25, 2024 to Jan. 1, 2026.

Ottawa defers effective date of capital gains changes to 2026, promises exemptions

Surrey mayor joins alliance of border communities ahead of possible tariffs

Surrey mayor joins alliance of border communities ahead of possible tariffs
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said potential U.S. tariffs would put hundreds of jobs in her community at risk, as she became the latest mayor to join an alliance advocating for Canadian border communities. Locke said Thursday that more than 20 per cent of businesses in Surrey have direct trade ties with the United States amounting to roughly $2.8 billion in cross-border commerce each year.

Surrey mayor joins alliance of border communities ahead of possible tariffs

Wendy Cocchia sworn in as B.C.'s 31st lieutenant-governor

Wendy Cocchia sworn in as B.C.'s 31st lieutenant-governor
Premier David Eby has introduced British Columbia's new lieutenant-governor, saying Wendy Cocchia's lifelong leadership and dedication to community service sets an example for everyone. Cocchia, a longtime businesswoman and philanthropist, was sworn in at a ceremony at B.C.'s Parliament buildings on Thursday before an audience of family, friends, Indigenous leaders, members of the legislature and other dignitaries.

Wendy Cocchia sworn in as B.C.'s 31st lieutenant-governor

Avalanche warning issued for BC

Avalanche warning issued for BC
Avalanche Canada is warning anyone planning to head into British Columbia's backcountry that incoming winter weather is expected to bring a "major increase in avalanche danger."

Avalanche warning issued for BC

Man charged with fraud in bank card scam

Man charged with fraud in bank card scam
Burnaby R-C-M-P say a 26-year-old man is facing 16 fraud-related charges following an investigation into an alleged bank card scam. The Mounties had issued a public warning in February 2024 after two seniors in Burnaby were scammed out of several thousand dollars each.

Man charged with fraud in bank card scam

25 year-old arrested for groping in Vancouver

25 year-old arrested for groping in Vancouver
Police in Vancouver say a 25-year-old man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to groping women who had been walking in the downtown area in 2023. Sex crimes officers began investigating that spring after a series of reports from women saying they had been assaulted near B-C Place stadium and Rogers Arena.

25 year-old arrested for groping in Vancouver