MP Charlie Angus 'astounded' charges against man accused of harassing him were stayed due to lost evidence

Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus says he wants police to take harassment and threatening behaviour complaints seriously after charges against a man accused of uttering death threats against him and his staff were thrown out due to evidence being lost.

The New Democrat MP said he had been subpoenaed to testify at the trial in Kirkland Lake, Ont., last week when he received a call cancelling his appearance.

In a court recording obtained by CBC, the Crown prosecutor told Justice Joseph Gilbert Raoul Maille that the evidence had gone missing.

«There's a statement missing, there's some voicemail messages that are the subject of the indictments, and I think there's some police notes that are also missing,» the prosecutor says. «Ordinarily, as I mentioned, I would ask for an adjournment, but in this case, I don't think some of the evidence is going to be found, so it's not going to solve the problem.»

The Crown prosecutor, who isn't named in the recording, said he didn't have a good explanation as to why he didn't have the evidence, so out of fairness to the accused, the charges would be stayed and not proceed.

The Crown also said the accused had been abiding by an order to keep the peace since the charges were laid.

CBC isn't naming the accused as he hasn't had a chance to defend himself against the charges, which were laid some 19 months ago.

The judge in the recording made no comment on the matter.

OPP aware of decision to stay charges

A spokesperson for Ontario Provincial Police, Staff Sgt Rob Simpson, said in a statement that the OPP is aware of the decision by the Crown to stay the charges.

Simpson also said he's not in a position to comment on specific details and the OPP is reviewing the circumstances leading to the staying of