Former Western University hockey player at centre of latest London, Ont., sexual assault review

The London Police Service (LPS) in Ontario has started an internal review of a sexual assault case involving two hockey players, one of whom continues to play for the Strathroy Jets.

Police Chief Steve Williams said in a statement Friday that the allegations are related to two incidents in March 2018, and due to media interest, he has ordered the review.

TSN reported Thursday that the complainant in this case alleged she was assaulted by a then Western University hockey player. CBC News has confirmed through court documents that a player on the team was charged with sexual assault dating back to that time.

Those charges were withdrawn, but a peace bond was issued in June 2020 requiring him not to communicate or be near the complainant, a fact Williams confirmed.

CBC News contacted the player, who declined to comment. CBC is not naming him in order to protect the identity of the complainant, who has also not been reached for comment. 

The chief said charges were not laid in the second allegation of sexual assault, which involved the same complainant but a different man. 

"In all sexual assault investigations, the London Police Service utilizes a victim-centred, trauma-informed approach which respects the wishes of complainants," Williams said. "In all cases except those dealing with intimate partners, victims are given the choice as to whether they wish to proceed with charges or not."

This is the second time in three months that the LPS has undertaken a review of a case involving hockey players. In July, it announced it was re-examining allegations of sexual assault involving members of the 2018 world junior hockey team who attended a Hockey Canada gala in London.

That case was initially closed without charges, and has