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Bennett first appearance

Former Fort St. James fire chief Robert H. Bennett made his first appearance in provincial court on Nov. 19.

Former Fort St. James fire chief Robert H. Bennett made his first appearance in provincial court on Nov. 19.

Bennett requested a continuance in order to consult legal counsel after formally being charged with three counts of sexual assault.

Bennett was released with conditions until his next appearance on Jan. 20, 2014.

The charges come after allegations of sexual harassment brought forward by a female Fort St. James volunteer firefighter. The firefighter made the allegations to Bennett’s then-employer the District of Fort St. James. Two other women also brought forward allegations of harassment.

The District of Fort St. James brought in an outside consultant Paul McKivett of James R. Craven and Associates Ltd. to investigate the allegations and Bennett resigned once the report was completed.

The internal report given to the District of Fort St. James has not been released to the public.