A Red Deer man convicted of aggravated sexual assault against a local senior will be assessed to determine whether or not he is considered a dangerous or long-term offender.

Jesse Toews appeared in Red Deer’s Court of Queen’s Bench last Friday where arguments were heard whether or not an assessment should take place.

Both Crown Prosecutor Anders Quist and defense lawyer Arnold Piragoff agreed that Toews be sent to the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatric Centre in Calgary to have this assessment completed.

The assessment will take 60 days to complete and it will help determine risk including the likelihood that Toews would reoffend.

Toews was initially assessed in December 2009 to determine whether or not he was fit to stand trial. The outcome of that assessment deemed he could stand trial.

“I would like to see if we could get the same psychiatrist from the previous assessment to conduct this assessment,” said Piragoff.

Quist said the court is not in a position to request psychiatrists for certain cases.

“However, it is my understanding that normally the same psychiatrist that has assessed patients previously will continue to do any further assessments,” he said.

After the assessment is complete, if Toews is deemed a dangerous offender, he will not likely be released.

“Dangerous offenders are normally incarcerated for the duration and it’s unlikely they are ever released,” said Quist.

If Toews is deemed a long-term offender that means he will have extended supervision after he is released from prison.

“Long-term offenders get what we call a super parole where they are supervised for up to 10 years after their release,” said Quist.

It is expected Toews will return to court on June 6 to set a date for a sentencing hearing.

Meanwhile, the sexual assault Toews was convicted for took place on July 29, 2009 near a north end grocery store at about 10 a.m.

The victim, a woman who was then in her late 70’s, was walking through a wooded area west of the Save On Foods in the 5300 block of 67 St. when a male grabbed her from behind and pulled her to the ground where she was sexually and physically assaulted.

After the attack, the woman was able to make it to the store and was assisted by employees who called the police and EMS.

RCMP later released a photo of Toews to the public asking for assistance in locating him in connection with the alleged crime.

In late August 2009, Toews turned himself into police.

His trial was held earlier this year.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com