A fire captain charged with sexual assault had his name called for the first time in provincial court yesterday.

But 52-year-old Ron Pomeroy wasn’t there because he didn’t have to appear.

Instead, lawyer Stephen Orr appeared on his behalf, after filing the required forms to do so.

Pomeroy, a 31-year veteran of the St. John’s Regional Fire Department, was charged just before Christmas with two counts: sexual assault and sexual exploitation.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between February and May of last year against a 17-year-old girl.

It’s also alleged Pomeroy committed the acts while in a position of trust or authority toward the complainant.

The Crown says all disclosure or evidence in the case should be in the hands of the defence by the next court date on March 8.

Neither the city nor the firefighters’ union will comment on the charges.

Pomeroy is a captain but also a former firefighter of the year, and former board member with the executive of the union, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1075.

In 2019 he received the Governor General’s Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal.

His current status with the department is not clear.