Ex-footballer gets bail as police warn he's a risk

A former B.C. Lions football player charged with sexual assault and released on bail has become the subject of an extraordinary warning from Vancouver police, who claim he's still a risk to public safety.

Joshua Joseph Boden, 23, was released on $5,000 bail last week, and a Supreme Court judge refused a Crown application Thursday to havethe bail revoked.

Police then called a news conference to warn the public that even though the court clearedBoden for release, the police feel he may pose a threat.

"He is currently charged with two counts of sexual assault, one count of resisting arrest and one count of obstruction of a police officer," Const. Lindsey Houghton.

"We believe he poses a significant safety risk to the community, and we're taking the extraordinary step of releasing a public warning regarding his release."

Police rarely make public announcements about the release of people facing charges.

The charges against Boden relate to incidents that occurred in Vancouver on Aug. 29 and Sept. 7.

In the Sept. 7 incident, police allege two police officers witnessed Boden fondling a woman near a Vancouver SkyTrain station. Police said he fled but was arrested after a brief struggle with officers.

Boden was later also charged in connectionwith another alleged incident of sexual assault, which happened in late August.

A number of conditions have been placed on his release. He can only leave his home between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., except for medical emergencies, court appearances or other reasons approved by his bail supervisor. He is not allowed to contact either of the complainants in the assault cases orto gonear SkyTrain stations.

The native of Surrey, B.C., played with the Lions as a wide receiver in the 2006-07 CFL season. He was cut from the team in 2008. Last September, Boden was picked up by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but was cut a short time later.