Female Halifax-based sailor faces sexual assault charges

A number of sexual assault charges have been laid against a female military member in Halifax.

Navy Sub-Lt. Aidan Louise Brownlee, a regular force member of Halifax-based HMCS Toronto, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault and one count of assault under the Canadian Criminal Code as well as three counts of behaving in disgraceful manner contrary the National Defence Act.

According to a Department of National Defence news release, officials became aware of the allegations in early December 2017 upon receiving a complaint from a third party. The person reported a member had been inappropriately touched while aboard HMCS Charlottetown near Split, Croatia, and again while ashore in Athens, Greece.

A police investigation followed.

A separate investigation by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service determined there was a second victim, and similar incidents were alleged to have taken place near Souda Bay, Greece.

The announcement of the charges, which were laid on Nov. 10, is a consolidation resulting from the two distinct investigations.

“The Canadian Forces Military Police seek to investigate and where appropriate lay charges based on factual evidence regardless of location in Canada or abroad,” Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin Cadman, commanding officer of the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service said in the release.

“All members of the Canadian Armed Forces should expect to serve in a respectful and professional environment safe from harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour.”

The matter is now proceeding in accordance with the military justice system for possible court martial at a date and location still to be determined.