(file photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

RCMP Investigation

Trial postponed for man facing unlawful confinement charges in Île-à-la-Crosse area

Sep 12, 2022 | 2:08 PM

The trial for a 44-year-old man facing charges following an incident involving the Canadian Armed Forces two years ago ended up being postponed when he appeared at the Court of King’s Bench in Battleford Monday.

Aaron Gardiner, of Île-à-la-Crosse, was charged with several offences in relation to the incident including unlawful confinement, assault, overcoming resistance, uttering threats, resisting arrest, possession of a firearm for a dangerous purpose, and use of a firearm in the commission of an indictable offence between April 16 and 24, 2020; and possession for the purpose of trafficking on or about April 24, 2020.

The charges stem from a 2020 incident in which a female youth was allegedly confined in a cabin near Île-à-la-Crosse. The identity of the victim is protected under a court-ordered publication ban.

Gardiner’s trial that was scheduled to start on Sept. 12 had to be postponed as his defence lawyer sought leave to withdraw.

The court heard four other defence counsels also previously left the case.

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During his appearance Monday, Gardiner requested to have a court-appointed “amicus” lawyer to represent him. He also asked if the lawyer could be from out-of-province if possible.

Gardiner’s case is now scheduled for a private pre-trial conference on Sept. 23 in Battleford. A new trial date is still to be set.

Police previously reported on April 24, 2020 two Canadian Armed Forces Griffon helicopters transported the Saskatchewan Emergency Response Team (ERT) across Île-à-la-Crosse Lake, near the village of Île-à-la-Crosse, in response to a report of a youth being confined in a cabin. When police located the youth, who was found to have minor bruising, she was safely transported back by helicopter to Île-à-la-Crosse.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow