Sex offender looking for a new lawyer

A registered sex offender charged nearly a year ago for offences against young girls was hoping to be released from custody Monday but is looking for a new lawyer, instead.

Trevor Pritchard was scheduled to have a bail hearing in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s bench, but his lawyer, Mansoor Khan, withdrew and told court the accused will meet with Calgary lawyer Tonii Roulston to discuss the case.

If she takes the case, Roulston will be Pritchard’s fourth lawyer since he was charged last January in connection to the sexual assault of a girl under the age of 16. Some time after he was arrested, more victims, two under the age of 16 and one under the age of 14, came forward with additional allegations.

Pritchard finished serving a 44month sentence in November 2013 for the sexual assault of two 13-yearold girls.

Although the judge granted Khan’s request to withdraw and then adjourned the case to Dec. 15 for a pre-trial conference, the Crown said it is not willing to adjourn two trials that are already scheduled for the new year. Pritchard is set to stand trial April 9-13, 2018, on charges of sexual assault, uttering threats, and child luring, and Nov. 13-30 on two counts each of sexual assault and child luring, and one count of possession of child pornography.

The Crown also 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.