Accused shoplifter represents himself at stabbing trial

The trial began Friday for a Penticton man accused of stabbing a loss-prevention officer in the neck with pliers at London Drugs in September 2016.

Sean Gunn, 47, insisted on representing himself after he said he has issues with every legal aid lawyer in Penticton.

He has gone through three legal aid lawyers, leading to several of the delays in his trial moving forward, the court learned Friday. His trial has been put over three times during the past two years.

Provincial court Judge Michelle Daneluik sought to have the trial adjourned again, asking Gunn to reconsider finding counsel to defend him, but Gunn said he wanted to get it over with.

Crown counsel John Swanson pointed out that he had brought witnesses from Vancouver and Vernon along with officers wanting to testify that day, and said a fourth postponement would pose great inconvenience.

A loss-prevention officer at London Drugs in Penticton was allegedly stabbed in the neck with side-cutting pliers by Gunn, who was accused of shoplifting, on Sept. 1, 2016.

Police say the loss-prevention officer tried to apprehend the man, who pulled out a pair of side-cutting pliers and hit the worker three times but didn’t cause serious injury.

The alleged attacker fled but was arrested soon after at a motel on South Main Street.

Gunn was charged with assault causing bodily harm and theft under $5,000. He has since been charged with two counts of breaching his conditions, which included not being anywhere near London Drugs.

The trial resumes Monday in Penticton.