A former First Nations band councillor facing sex-related charges will return to court for trial in the new year.
Cyrus John Bernard, 52, was facing six counts each of sexual interference and sexual assault in relation to incidents between 2014 and 2015, but three of each were withdrawn in January.
Bernard, who was previously released from custody on conditions, had an arraignment hearing in Wagmatcook Provincial Court in January.
His case was adjourned in February, March, May, July and August.
At a plea hearing in August, Bernard pleaded not guilty to all the charge and opted to be tried by a judge in supreme court; his trial date has been set for Feb. 8-10, 2022.
Bernard was re-elected to We’koqma’q council in October, 2020; in a December letter to residents, Annie Bernard-Daisley, the band’s chief, said Bernard resigned effective immediately.
Bernard-Daisley said band officials were not required to fill the vacant seat, and they wouldn’t hold a byelection due to rising COVID-19 cases provincially.
