Canada Charges Four British Sailors in Gang Rape

Military police on Friday charged four British Royal Navy sailors with sexual assault in the alleged gang rape of a civilian woman in Halifax, which is home to Canada's Atlantic fleet.

Craig Stoner, Darren Smalley, Joshua Finbow and Simon Radford each face one count of sexual assault under Canada's criminal code.

In a statement, Canadian Forces National Investigation Service commander Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Bolduc called the accusations "disturbing."

The assault allegedly took place last week at a drinking party at the Shearwater military barracks in Halifax.

The local daily Chronicle Herald reported the four British servicemen were visiting Halifax to participate in an armed forces hockey tournament.