A man charged with sexually assaulting a Red Deer senior could have a psychiatric assessment done in a Calgary hospital.
Jesse Peter Toews, 25, of Red Deer was ordered to get a full psychiatric and psychological assessment at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatric Centre, his lawyer Arnold Piragoff told court Wednesday.
Toews is charged with robbing and sexually assaulting an elderly woman on July 29. He will return to court Nov. 9 to enter a plea and have a possible bail review.
Toews is alleged to have attacked the woman in a wooded area near 67th Street and 52nd Avenue and stole her purse and watch before fleeing.
This is the second attempt by the court to have the accused assessed for his fitness to stand trial.
A month ago he was ordered to be sent to Alberta Hospital Edmonton for assessment but that never occurred.
Piragoff told Judge Bert Skinner he didn’t know why but suspects in part it could be because of the recent cutbacks and bed closures at the hospital, announced by the provincial government.
“They gave various reasons and part of it could be the health-care system,” Piragoff said in answering Skinner’s question why the assessment wasn’t performed.
“Whatever the reason, it will be done,” Piragoff added.
It is also alleged that Toews threw a person into a closet during an Aug. 6 dispute and then smashed a cellphone before running off.
He also faces a cruelty to animals charge in relation to the death of a kitten that was allegedly thrown against a wall and killed.
Toews has been charged with sexual assault, forcible confinement, robbery, making death threats and mischief to property. He also faces a charge of failing to appear in court.
Piragoff earlier told court that Toews’ mother told him her son suffered from a bipolar condition and a split personality.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com