Trial for registered sex offender to proceed in April

The trial for a registered sex offender charged more than a year ago for offences against young girls will not have to be adjourned, after all.

The case against Trevor Pritchard had been scheduled to run for a week in April and three weeks in November, but during a hearing last month in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench the accused’s fourth lawyer, who had only been retained during the previous month, said she would not be able available in April.

However, court was told Monday the trial could proceed in April on charges of sexual assault, uttering threats and child luring. Nothing was discussed, however, about the trial in November on two counts each of sexual assault and child luring, and one count of possession of child pornography.

Pritchard, who finished serving a 44-month sentence in November 2013 for the sexual assault of two 13-year-old girls, was charged in January 2017 in connection to the sexual assault of a girl under the age of 16. After he was arrested, more victims, two under the age of 16 and one under the age of 14, came forward with additional allegations.

The Crown intends to apply to have Pritchard designated a dangerous offender, which can result in an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment if the accused is found guilty.

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