Canadian courts uphold acquittals in sexual assault cases

Two separate legal cases in Canada involving sexual assault allegations have resulted in acquittals.

In one instance, the Court of Appeal dismissed a Crown appeal regarding the acquittal of Lucas Hanrahan. The Crown had argued that the trial judge erred by restricting the examination of the complainant regarding text messages and prior sexual history. A majority of the court ruled that the judge’s interventions were a reasonable exercise of trial management power and that no error was made regarding the admissibility of evidence or the finding of inconsistencies in testimony.

In a separate case in Brandon, Manitoba, a 43-year-old man was acquitted of five charges, including rape and assault, involving his former partner. Justice Scott Abel of the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench stated that while the evidence from both parties was ‘diametrically opposed,’ the Crown failed to meet the necessary burden of proof. The judge noted concerns regarding the complainant’s reliability due to intoxication and inconsistencies in her testimony, though he clarified that the verdict did not imply a lack of belief in the complainant.