WINNIPEG - Charges that former fashion mogul Peter Nygard confined and sexually assaulted a woman in one of his company's warehouses in 1993 were stayed Wednesday due to missing documentation.

Provincial court judge Mary Kate Harvie, ruling on an application from Nygard’s lawyer, said records of police interviews with the complainant in 1993 were later destroyed without justifiable reasons, violating Nygard’s Charter right to a fair trial.

"By denying the accused the opportunity to challenge the complainant on her initial statement ... due to its unavailability, the accused’s ability to make full answer and defence has been compromised," Harvie said in a 41-page written decision.

“The applicant’s right to a fair trial has been substantially prejudiced and will be further aggravated by a

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