A man charged with sexually assaulting and robbing an elderly woman will have a trial next fall.
Jesse Peter Toews, 25, of Red Deer elected to be tried by a Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench justice alone when he appeared in provincial court Thursday.
The preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 20 and Oct. 22 on charges of sexual assault, forcible confinement and robbery.
That hearing will determine if there’s enough evidence to have Toews stand trial in Queen’s Bench at some future date.
Toews is alleged to have sexually assaulted, confined and robbed the woman last July 29.
RCMP allege that Toews jumped an elderly woman and assaulted her about 9:30 a.m. in a wooded area near 67th Street and 52nd Avenue. The woman’s purse and watch were stolen in the attack.
Toews remains in custody on those charges.
He also faces charges on other unrelated offences and will have a bail review on those charges on Feb. 17.
It is alleged that Toews threw someone into a closet on Aug. 6, then smashed a cellphone and fled the scene.
A cruelty to animals charge was also laid after he allegedly threw a kitten against a wall, killing it.
Toews has a trial on Aug. 23 on charges of assault as well as cruelty to animals, making death threats, mischief to property and failing to appear in court.