Sexual assault charges dismissed against Trailer Park Boys actor

A judge in Nova Scotia, Canada, has dismissed the sexual assault case against Trailer Park Boys actor Mike Smith.

The trial was set to begin in provincial court in Dartmouth on Thursday, but after the Crown provided no evidence against Smith, the actor’s attorneys requested the case be dismissed.

The 54-year-old actor, who plays the character Bubbles on the Canadian sitcom, was charged last year for an alleged sexual assault in 2017.

Prosecutor Bryson McDonald told reporters outside court that the Crown offered no evidence in relation to the charge “based on the Crown’s ongoing assessment that the prosecution standard has no longer been met”.

McDonald would not go into further detail about the standard not being met or why, but said his office has been in regular communication with the complainant throughout the process.

There is a publication ban in place protecting the identity of the complainant.

The complainant said in a statement to Canadian broadcaster CBC that the trial was dismissed because she is “unwilling to sacrifice my mental health” by testifying.

Trailer Park Boys Incorporated, the company behind the show, said in a statement that because the charge against Smith was dropped, the actor will resume his responsibilities with the company.

Smith’s attorney also said his client is “pleased that this matter is now behind him and is ready to move forward”.

In February, Smith pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault.

Set in a fictional trailer park in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, Trailer Park Boys follows the adventures of three longtime friends and petty criminals.

The Canadian mockumentary series first began airing in 2001 before ending in 2007, but was later revived by Netflix. Season 13 is expected to be released in the coming months.