UVic student not charged after arrest in sexual assault investigation

Charges will not be laidin a sexual assault investigation involving a University of Victoria student.The Crown has determined there isnot enough evidence to move forward with the case.

Police arrested the student in Februaryafter they said four women aged 19 and 20 came forward with allegations they were assaulted by a student they knew well.

At the time, police said the allegations were related to incidents that occurred over a span of several months.

• UVic sex assault allegations lead to male student's arrest

Saanich Police recommended five counts of sexual assault in the case. The student was released with a promiseto appear in court in April.

But the crown said that appearance did not happen because no charges are going forward.

"The Report to Crown Counsel prepared by police was reviewed by several senior prosecutors and they concluded that the Branch's charge assessment standard was not met," saidDaniel McLaughlin, Communications Counsel for the Criminal Justice Branch, in a statement.

"On the available evidence, there is no substantial likelihood of conviction."

To proceed with a sexual assault chargethe Crown must provesexual contact beyond a reasonable doubt, McLaughlin said, adding there must also be an absence of consent.

"In this case, after a thorough review of the available evidence, it has been decided that the Branch charge assessment standard is not met," he said."As such, no charges have been approved."

At the time of the arrest, the University of Victoria banned the student from campus.

The university has not yet commented on his current status.