Lethbridge man to represent himself in sexual assault case

A 38-year-old Lethbridge man accused of luring and assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2017 is going to represent himself when he finally stands trial in a year.

Gary James Lippa told a judge Monday in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench he has been turned down by Legal Aid and will defend himself during the judgeand-jury trial Feb. 18-28, 2020.

The court has, however, appointed Lethbridge lawyer Miranda Hlady to cross examine the young complainant so she doesn’t have to face the accused in court.

Lippa is charged with single counts of child luring, sexual assault, sexual interference, making child pornography, accessing child pornography and possessing child pornography.

ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit reported that a man was arrested at his Lethbridge home on Feb. 22 of last year, after police received information that a man was engaged in sexualized online chats with an underage girl. Police alleged nude photos were exchanged, and a number of computers and electronic devices were seized from the home.

ALERT said the man deceptively enticed a girl away from her caregivers, and when the two met in person, the girl was sexually assaulted.

Although the trial isn’t until next year, the matter returns to court in March to confirm the trial dates and status of the case.

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