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Courts

East Preston man charged with human trafficking avoids court to duck media

Owen Ross Gibson-Skeir’s case moved to April 20

2 min read
caption Halifax Provincial Court house located on 5250 Spring Garden Road.
Sindi Skenderi
Halifax Provincial Court house located on 5250 Spring Garden Road.
caption Halifax provincial courthouse located on 5250 Spring Garden Rd.
Sindi Skenderi

Owen Ross Gibson-Skeir chose to stay in a jail cell Monday because he didn’t want to face reporters at the courthouse, his lawyer said.

Gibson-Skeir, 20, is accused of human trafficking a 14-year-old girl.

His case was due in Halifax provincial court on Monday, but lawyer Kai Glasgow said his client decided not to appear.

Gibson-Skeir is aware the case has been in the media, so “he just didn’t want to sort of go through that this morning,” Glasgow told reporters outside the courtroom.

Defense lawyer Kai Glasgow says his client is aware the case would be covered by the press.
caption Defence lawyer Kai Glasgow says his client is aware the case would be covered by the media.
Sindi Skenderi

Glasgow waived the formal reading of charges in exchange for the accused to appear in court on April 20 for a possible plea or show cause hearing.

Gibson-Skeir, from East Preston, faces a number of other charges, including sexual assault.

He was arrested in Cole Harbour on Saturday at 6:30 a.m. He remains in custody.

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