The ongoing trial of Canadian businessman Frank Stronach has taken a new turn after prosecutors withdrew several charges during the case.
When the trial began in February, Stronach faced 12 criminal counts linked to allegations from seven female complainants, including sexual assault and historical accusations of rape and attempted rape. However, after hearing the evidence, the prosecution has reduced the case to seven charges involving four complainants.
The decision by the Crown to drop five charges and exclude testimony from three complainants has raised questions about the strength of some of the original allegations and whether prosecutors had fully assessed the evidence before the case went to trial.
Stronach, who appeared at the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto, has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty to every charge.