Crown withdraws charges against one of seven boys arrested over St. Mike´s sex assault incidents
(The Star Food)

The Crown has withdrawn charges against one of seven St. Michael’s College students charged in a series of assaults and sex assaults at the prestigious all-boys’ school, saying there is no reasonable prospect of conviction in his case. Charges of assault, gang sexual assault and sexual assault with a weapon against the teen were dropped Wednesday morning. The student cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.“The Crown has done a full assessment of all the evidence in this case against this young person and through at the time there were reasonable and probable grounds for his arrest on these charges, it is the Crown’s current view that there is no reasonable prospect of conviction of this young person,� Crown prosecutor Erin McNamara said. The teen’s lawyer Brian Heller thanked McNamara for her care and professionalism in dealing with the case. Heller declined to comment on why the charges were withdrawn but confirmed the criminal case involving his client has now ended. Publication bans on evidence remain in effect in the ongoing criminal cases involving six other St. Michael’s College students.“There is a complex and detailed investigation that ensues from that initial volley of police activity,� Heller said.A total of seven St. Michael’s College students were charged by Toronto police last year following a series incidents at the school, all involving members of the football team. The cases first drew police attention late last year after an alleged November 2018 gang sexual assault of a student was videotaped on a cellphone and shared on social media.The Star has viewed the 22-second video in which a young teen is held down by several boys in what appears to be a locker room. The video shows the teen being sexually assaulted by two boys with what appeared to be a broomstick. Someone is heard yelling, “Get it in there,� and “Put it in� and, “Chill, chil ...