Former Leaf Tiger Williams charged with sexual assault
Incident allegedly took place during military flight to Latvia for ‘Team Canada’ visit to troops
OTTAWA— Former NHL player Dave “Tiger” Williams has been charged with sexual assault and assault following incidents on board a Canadian military flight as he headed overseas for a moraleboosting visit with deployed troops.
And it appears that Williams, 64, was allowed to continue his tour with the soldiers in December even though the victim had immediately reported allegations that she had been assaulted during the flight.
Military police announced Friday that Williams — whose NHL career started as a Maple Leafs enforcer — had been charged with one count of assault and one count of sexual assault.
Williams was a passenger on board a military CC-150 Polaris aircraft as part of a Team Canada contingent headed to Latvia for the visit with troops.
“The charges related to reported incidents during a Canadian Armed Forces flight to Latvia,” said navy Lt. Blake Patterson, spokesperson for the Canadian Forces provost marshal and military police.
“The accused was a passenger . . . the victim reported the assault during the flight,” he said Friday in an interview. He declined to say whether the victim was a member of the military or a civilian.
Williams could not be reached for comment on Friday, but his lawyer, Michael Lacy, said his client denies the charges.
“I understand from the police it is alleged that Tiger inappropriately touched the complainant over clothing on the buttocks,” Lacy said in a statement. “Tiger denies any wrongdoing and is confident he will be vindicated.”
The lawyer said Williams has a “proud” history of taking part in Armed Forces morale tours and “has been an enthusiastic supporter of our troops.”
“He looks forward to continuing his volunteer efforts when this matter is disposed of,” Lacy said. “We would urge everyone to hold off judgment in this matter until it is dealt with through the court process where the veracity of these claims can be best tested.”
Gen. Jonathan Vance has preached a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and assault and has stepped up efforts to crack down on such behaviour in the ranks.
The military declined to say Friday whether Williams continued his visit, even after the allegations had been reported. But one official told the Star he believed the hockey player remained on the tour and was not sent home.
Patterson said he did not know to whom the victim reported the alleged assaults. “I just know they were reported during the flight.”
“Military police were advised,” he said.
The case was referred to the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service — a branch of the military police that handles serious and sensitive investigations — for followup, Patterson said.
Military police are responsible for policing defence property, including locations where Canadian soldiers are deployed abroad. “This includes juris- diction over civilians who accompany Canadian Armed Forces personnel on deployments or while on defence establishments,” Patterson said.
“This being a Canadian Forces aircraft, that’s how the jurisdiction was determined,” Patterson said.
Williams was charged Wednesday and arrested Friday. He was released on conditions and a promise to appear, Patterson said.
Military police consulted with the crown attorney in Ottawa, and “it was determined to proceed with the case through the civilian justice system.”
The military said the case would be brought forward in Ottawa at a date to be determined.
“In all cases, the subject of charges is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” the military said in a news release.
Williams’ hockey career began in 1974 when he was drafted by the Maple Leafs. He played 962 games over a career that took him also to Detroit, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Hartford before he retired in 1988. He scored 241goals but is best known for racking up 3,971penalty minutes, the most for any NHL player.
Williams was taking part in a socalled Team Canada visit that brings entertainers, athletes and media personalities overseas to boost the morale of deployed personnel. The trips happen twice a year and usually number about 20 people, the military said Friday.
Williams was a fan favourite and the December trip to Latvia was the 14th time he had gone abroad to visit the troops.
On Friday, Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan issued a brief statement, saying he had just become aware of the charges. “First and foremost, we want to acknowledge the incredible courage of this woman for coming forward,” he said.