FOUR Hampshire sailors charged with an alleged sexual assault following an incident in Canada have been released on bail.

The four accused are members of the Royal Navy ice hockey team based in Gosport.

Craig Stoner, 24, from Stonehouse, Darren Smalley, 35, from Gosport, Joshua Finbow, 23, from Stockbridge, and Simon Radford, 31, from Lower Gosport, were each charged with one count of sexual assault by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS).

It has been reported that the men were charged for their role in a “group sexual assault” in barracks in Shearwater, Nova Scotia.

Prosecutor Scott Morrison said the British sailors were in Nova Scotia playing in a hockey tournament with Canadian Armed Forces.

The four have been bailed for $3,000 (£2,000) each and must return to court on Wednesday, May 27.

They have surrendered their passports and must stay in Nova Scotia.