Sexual assault charges laid against military member in Petawawa, ON
News release
December 13, 2018 – Ottawa – National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces
On December 04, 2018, the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service charged a member of the Canadian Armed Forces with sexual assault under the Criminal Code. The charge relate to reported incident involving another member of the Canadian Armed Forces while accused was deployed on a tasking at CFB Petawawa, ON, during summer of 2018.
Corporal David Claxton, a Reserve Force member of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, a Reserve unit located in Ottawa, ON, faces the following charge.
- One (1) count of Sexual Assault under section 271 of the Criminal Code.
The matter is now proceeding in civilian Justice System. The accused first appearance will be on January 15, 2019 at Pembroke Court House, in Pembroke, ON.
"The Canadian Forces Military Police seek to investigate and where appropriate lay charges based on factual evidence regardless of location in Canada or abroad. All members of the Canadian Armed Forces – whether they are part of the Reserve Force or Regular Force – should expect to serve in a respectful and professional environment safe from harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour."
Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin Cadman, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces National Investigation Service
Quick facts
In all cases, the subject of charges is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The matter is now proceeding in civilian justice system at Pembroke Court House.
The CFNIS is a specialized unit established within Canadian Forces Military Police Group (CFMP Gp). Its primary mandate is to investigate serious and sensitive matters in relation to Department of National Defence (DND) property, DND employees and CAF personnel serving in Canada and around the world. The CFMP Gp and the CFNIS conduct police investigations independently, without interference and in accordance with the highest professional standards.
