By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter

Trial dates tentatively set for Lethbridge man accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old

Feb 11, 2019 | 1:57 PM

LETHBRIDGE – A 38-year-old Lethbridge man, accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, and multiple child pornography offences will stand trial early next year.

At Court of Queen’s Bench in Lethbridge Monday, Feb. 11, Gary Lippa told the court he was turned down for legal aid and will likely represent himself.

Lippa has elected a trial by judge and jury for the matter, which is expected to take 8 to 9 days sometime between Feb. 18-28, 2020.

Lawyer Miranda Hlady has been appointed to advise Lippa, and to cross-examine the alleged victim during the trial.

Lippa was arrested at his home on Feb. 22, 2018, when authorities seized several of his computers and electronic devices.

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He was later charged with child luring, abduction, sexual assault, sexual interference, and making, accessing and possessing child pornography.

Four of 10 original charges against him, including one count of child abduction, and two counts of child luring have been stayed.

The remaining charges against him include possession of child pornography, making/distributing/publishing child pornography, luring a child, invitation to sexual touching and sexual assault.

According to ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE), their investigation started when they received information in September of 2017. It was reported at that time that a man was allegedly engaging in sexual online chats with an underage girl and that nude photos were exchanged.

They further allege that the man made deceptive arrangements to draw the girl away from her caregivers so they could meet, at which time she was sexually assaulted.

Lippa will be back in Court of Queen’s Bench March 25 to confirm the exact trial dates.