HALIFAX — A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge has ruled three British sailors charged with a sexual assault in Halifax can return to the United Kingdom while on bail.
Justice Josh Arnold said Canada has good relations with the United Kingdom, allowing for extradition if the men fail to appear for their Canadian court hearing.
Arnold said each of the men will be released on cash bail of $10,000 and on condition that they attend court when required.
Arnold said "reasonable bail must include reasonable conditions," and said in this instance allowing the men to return home before their trial is permitted under Canadian law.
The men must surrender their passports to the Royal Navy and will only receive them before court appearances or meetings with their lawyers.
They must also notify the court if they plan to resign from the navy and be back in Halifax five days before their court appearances.
Arnold said the sailors haven't breached any of their bail conditions since their arrest.
The judge noted the Royal Navy has committed to issue an arrest warrant if any of the men don't show up for work or miss their flights back to Canada.
