THUNDER BAY — A Lakehead University professor who was recently on trial for allegations of sexual assault on a student is no longer facing any charges.
Han Chen made a brief court appearance before Justice Frank Valente in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Monday.
The charges, which included two counts of sexual assault, were withdrawn at the request of the Crown due to no reasonable prospect for conviction.
Chen was first charged in March 2021 following an investigation by the Thunder Bay Police Service into allegations of sexual assault on a student in January 2021.
At the time of the alleged incident, Chen was a professor in the natural resources management program at Lakehead University.
A trial opened on March 30, with Chen pleading not guilty to the charges.
The complainant testified for three days during the trial, which was then adjourned to secure additional dates.
The trial was scheduled to resume on May 31, but those dates have been vacated now that the charges against Chen have been withdrawn.
