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Sex assault charges against former fire chief dropped

Two historical charges of sexual abuse against 70-year-old former Estaire-Wanup Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Gordon Hall were suddenly dropped June 30.
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The five-person for the Stephen Perry inquest is expected to able its conclusions and recommendations, to improve safety for underground miners, by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. File photo.
Two historical charges of sexual abuse against 70-year-old former Estaire-Wanup Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Gordon Hall were suddenly dropped June 30.

According to local media sources, Assistant Crown Attorney Kevin Ludgate said he had no reasonable prospect of convicting Hall for indecent assault and gross indecency.

The OPP laid charges against Hall in May for sexual assaults alleged to have occurred at a summer camp between 1972 and 1974.

Last September, six other sexual assault charges against Hall, also alleged to have occurred in the 1970s, were dismissed by Superior Court Justice Robert Del Frate.

Del Frate said the Crown could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the alleged abuses occurred.

Testimony from the three complainants, he said, proved to be unreliable.