An Espanola woman has been found not guilty of uttering threats against a hockey player.
Melisa Rancourt was found not guilty of uttering threats in Espanola court today due to a lack of evidence and inconsistencies by prosecution witnesses.
The trial centred around events with witnesses alleging what they saw in the corridor of the dressing rooms after a hockey game in Espanola in February 2024.
Rancourt, who was the head coach of the Espanola team, allegedly threatened a 12-year-old player from the Walden team.
Originally charged with assault, disturbing the peace and uttering threats, the assault charge was dropped last July, and the disturbing the peace charge was dropped last month after security video revealed a lack of evidence.
The trial then proceeded on the uttering threats charge.
The three defence witnesses all testified that Maverine Bain, a prosecution witness, was the aggressor and Rancourt was not.
The original charges were based on testimony given by Bain and the 12-year-old player to police the day after the game, but footage shows the alleged physical contact never occurred.
Rancourt has been suspended from duty as a Greater Sudbury police officer with pay since February 2024.
She still faces a disciplinary hearing with the Greater Sudbury Police
