As the high-profile trial of five former Team Canada hockey players unfolds, critical testimony from retired London police detective Stephen Newton has shed light on why the initial 2018 sexual assault investigation was closed without charges. Newton’s statements, based on eight months of work and his own notes, reveal a controversial and complex picture that’s now under renewed scrutiny.
Lead detective doubted intoxication claims and saw signs of consent
In court, Stephen Newton explained that after his first interview with the complainant—a 20-year-old woman who said she was assaulted by multiple players—he had lingering doubts. “I left the interview with the belief that [she] was not necessarily intoxicated enough not to make decisions during this event and further, that there may have been a certain level of consent, given her active involvement,” Newton wrote in his 2018 notes.
The woman had initially met the players at Jack’s bar and returned to the Delta Armouries hotel with Michael McLeod, with whom she had consensual sex. She later alleged that several players entered the room and sexually assaulted her, though she admitted to memory gaps due to alcohol and psychological dissociation.
Police evidence and interviews didn’t support charges in 2018
Newton testified that hotel surveillance and bar footage showed no signs of impairment, and several of the accused, including McLeod, Carter Hart, and Dillon Dube, voluntarily gave interviews admitting to sexual contact but asserting it was consensual. “You never crossed that threshold of reasonable and probable grounds to believe any criminal offence had been committed in this case, correct?” defense lawyer Daniel Brown asked. “I would agree with that,” Newton replied.
Key evidence, including two videos showing apparent consent, text messages, and the woman’s hesitation about pressing charges, factored into Newton’s conclusion. By February 2019, the criminal investigation was closed.
Despite the closure, the case resurfaced in 2022 following reports that the woman settled a civil suit with Hockey Canada and others. This led to public backlash and a reopened investigation, resulting in criminal charges being laid in 2023.
Also Read: Hockey Canada sexual assault trial update: Carter Hart breaks silence, claims woman consented as witness credibility questioned
The trial continues, with Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham indicating more witnesses may be called before the prosecution rests its case.
Lead detective doubted intoxication claims and saw signs of consent
In court, Stephen Newton explained that after his first interview with the complainant—a 20-year-old woman who said she was assaulted by multiple players—he had lingering doubts. “I left the interview with the belief that [she] was not necessarily intoxicated enough not to make decisions during this event and further, that there may have been a certain level of consent, given her active involvement,” Newton wrote in his 2018 notes.
tw//sa 2018 wjc
— kate (@karrotkate) May 28, 2025
Stephen Newton, retired PO, giving a masterclass as to why victims don't come forward.
Doesn't follow up on stuff (doesn't even try to get texts)
Takes players' word that she had capacity to consent (coerced consent is not consent)
Lazy in interviews w/ players pic.twitter.com/dwScjYYbbv
The woman had initially met the players at Jack’s bar and returned to the Delta Armouries hotel with Michael McLeod, with whom she had consensual sex. She later alleged that several players entered the room and sexually assaulted her, though she admitted to memory gaps due to alcohol and psychological dissociation.
Police evidence and interviews didn’t support charges in 2018
Newton testified that hotel surveillance and bar footage showed no signs of impairment, and several of the accused, including McLeod, Carter Hart, and Dillon Dube, voluntarily gave interviews admitting to sexual contact but asserting it was consensual. “You never crossed that threshold of reasonable and probable grounds to believe any criminal offence had been committed in this case, correct?” defense lawyer Daniel Brown asked. “I would agree with that,” Newton replied.
Ten athletic men in a room with one small woman who is naked, on a bed sheet spread on the floor.
— Barbara Levesque (@belle_levesque) May 29, 2025
Totally normal says Carter Hart.
Everything was consensual.
You sure about that, buddy?
Carter Hart testifies at hockey sexual assault trial https://t.co/dVikYTs7GC
Key evidence, including two videos showing apparent consent, text messages, and the woman’s hesitation about pressing charges, factored into Newton’s conclusion. By February 2019, the criminal investigation was closed.
Despite the closure, the case resurfaced in 2022 following reports that the woman settled a civil suit with Hockey Canada and others. This led to public backlash and a reopened investigation, resulting in criminal charges being laid in 2023.
Also Read: Hockey Canada sexual assault trial update: Carter Hart breaks silence, claims woman consented as witness credibility questioned
The trial continues, with Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham indicating more witnesses may be called before the prosecution rests its case.
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