Fredericton man denies sex-related charges
Lance Thomas Sappier, 29, accused of online grooming, exposing himself, but court hears he was denied legal aid, might apply for appointment of state-funded counsel
A Fredericton man accused of online communication with a minor for a sexual purpose denied the allegations Tuesday, but he finds himself without a lawyer to represent him at trial.
Lance Thomas Sappier, 29, of Saunders Street, was charged earlier this year with three counts alleging sex-related offences, and the case had been adjourned several times so he could retain counsel.
He was back in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday to answer to those charges: that he communicated with a person he believed to be under 16 for the purpose of committing a sex offence, that he invited that minor to touch themselves for a sexual purpose with a hairbrush, and that he expose his genitals to that minor.
The charges allege events in Fredericton between Dec. 27, 2015, and Dec. 26, 2018.
Court heard Sappier had applied for legal aid but was denied, and duty counsel Michael Mallory said Sappier is considering filing a Rowbotham application with the court.
A Rowbotham application - named for the precedent that established the procedure - is one in which a defendant asks a court to order the province to pay for defence counsel in the event one is denied legal aid or is unable to otherwise retain a lawyer.
Nevertheless, Sappier elected Tuesday to be tried in provincial court and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Crown prosecutor Rebekah Logan said she estimates the trial would take two days.
Judge Lucie Mathurin set the matter over to Sept. 28 for a case-management conference and to set a trial date.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.