A prominent member of British Columbia's ball hockey community has been released on bail after appearing in court Thursday, charged with spiking women's drinks and sexual assault.

Vancouver police appealed Wednesday for more information about Fernando Manuel Alves, who is charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious substance. Vancouver police appealed Wednesday for more information about Fernando Manuel Alves, who is charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious substance.
(VPD)

Fernando Manuel Alves of Burnaby was arrested on Sept. 8 and charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of administering a noxious substance.

The 44-year-old pub owner and vice-president of the Western Ball Hockey Association appeared in B.C. provincial court on Thursday, where he was released under strict bail conditions that include:

  • Posting a $350,000 bond.
  • Reporting to the Vancouver police high-risk offender unit.
  • Not attending any bar or nightclub except for employment at the Station Square pub in Burnaby, as approved by his bail supervisor.

Vancouver police have appealed for more information about Alves, who is accused of alleged offences against four women, aged between 20 and 30 years old, in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

During a news conference on Wednesday, Const. Tim Fanning reminded the public to be aware of the risks involved with knowingly going somewhere alone with a new acquaintance.

"Stay with your friends to the end of the night,'' he said. "If you meet somebody that you want to see again, meet them the next day. Don't get in the position of going back with them alone, especially when you've been drinking."

News of Alves's arrest has shocked a former employee at his Burnaby pub.

Scott Klassen, who was a doorman at the Station Square pub until two months ago, described his old boss as  "just a regular guy."

"Every night I worked, he worked," Klassen told CBC News. "He never drank on shift. He always seemed to be a clean-cut guy."

Klassen says Alves was very generous with staff.

"He always took people out to football games, hockey games, concerts,  provided a limo — you know, free drinks, free night type thing, as a … hey, thanks for working here type thing."