An Ontario judge stayed sexual assault charges against a former cadet major Friday after the alleged victim decided to walk away from the case over an “expansive” request by the defence to obtain records that included her counsellor’s files.
Ontario Court of Justice Judge Jennifer Woollcombe stayed three courts of sexual assault against Kenneth Richards, 70, a former major with the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS).
The charges were initially filed by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Services in July 2021 and then transferred to the civilian system for prosecution.
Under a stay, charges are essentially held in abeyance and a
