Trial dates still being worked out for man accused of sexually assaulting a cab driver

Gun charges

The man accused of abducting and assaulting a local cab driver made a brief appearance Tuesday, as counsel works to set up a multiday trial.

Shawn Thomas Baldhead, who remains in custody and made his appearance by closed-circuit television from the Calgary Remand Centre, and had his matters adjourned to May 30.

Baldhead entered a notguilty plea March 15 to all charges he faces, with it taking time to set up an actual trial date as both local and Calgary police will have to be involved in the trial.

Baldhead was charged with robbery, kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon and three counts of uttering death threats/threats to cause bodily harm following a Nov. 24 incident when a man approached a female cab driver in Medicine Hat for a ride to another part of the city. The cab driver was then allegedly physically and sexually assaulted, with the taxi driven to Calgary before the victim was released.

Police issued a description of the suspect, and the following week Baldhead was located and arrested in Calgary.

Baldhead is being represented by Calgary-based lawyer Alin Mayer.

One of two people arrested after police seized a cache of firearms at an Irvine residence had a brief court appearance Tuesday, with an adjournment to May 9.

At that time, counsel for Denver Ryan Ailsby is expected to run a bail hearing.

Crown will be opposed to Ailsby’s release.

Ailsby was arrested alongside Brandalyn Brandham on April 12 after police executed a search warrant at a residence and seized 10 firearms, three of which were prohibited due to modification of barrel length. Also seized were four homemade silencers, prohibited magazines, bear spray, 20 grams of marijuana and several boxes and storage containers of ammunition.