THUNDER BAY – The sexual assault case of two former University of Ottawa hockey players took a small step forward, even without either player present in court.
David Foucher and Guillaume Donovan, both of Gatineau, Que., each face a count of sexual assault after an alleged February incident while they were in Thunder Bay for a weekend series against the Lakehead Thunderwolves.
Neither Foucher nor Donovon, or either of their lawyers, were present in court Tuesday. They were instead represented by local duty counsel, who acted on instructions.
Duty counsel said the lawyers were in the process of analyzing the disclosure of evidence.
The case first received media attention after the Thunder Bay Police Service released information that they received a third party complaint about an alleged incident at the Victoria Inn in the early morning hours of Feb. 2 involving a 21-year-old victim.
The two were arrested and charged in August after a lengthy police investigation involving both the Thunder Bay and Ottawa police services along with the RCMP.
Donovan is represented by Ottawa lawyer Christian Deslauriers and Foucher is represented by Montreal lawyer Jean-Pierre Rancourt.
Charges against the two accused have not been proven in court.
A publication ban was introduced during their appearance in September on all evidence during the preliminary hearings.
The pair are due back in court on Dec. 2.
