Sentencing has been delayed yet again for man who kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted cab driver

By Peggy Revell on March 15, 2018.

prevell@medicinehatnews.com @MHNprevell

Sentencing has once again been pushed back for a man who kidnapped, sexually assaulted and robbed a Medicine Hat cab driver in November 2016.

Originally set to be sentenced Wednesday, Shawn Thomas Baldhead appeared in Medicine Hat Court with his lawyer requesting an adjournment as defence counsel had only received Tuesday a report on the accused from the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre.

Counsel wanted time to go over the report with Baldhead.

Crown opposed the adjournment due to “heavy burden” on the victim, who has often attended court throughout the proceedings.

The judge agreed to an adjournment to April 30, and also told Crown and defence counsel to submit case law beforehand.

Baldhead entered guilty pleas last August to numerous charges stemming from the Nov. 24, 2016 incident. Delays in sentencing came in part due to having new counsel come on board after his first lawyer switched into practising family law, the judge who was seized with sentencing retiring, and also three reports being assembled for consideration: A pre-sentencing report, Gladue report and the report from SAFPC.

According to agreed statement of facts, Baldhead kidnapped, threatened and sexually assaulted a female taxi driver. With her in the vehicle, he drove to Calgary, making stops in Brooks and Strathmore along the way. The woman was eventually allowed to leave the vehicle, but Baldhead threatened to kill her family if she told anyone what happened.

Baldhead was later arrested by Calgary police. Defence counsel at the time of entering the guilty pleas said substance abuse was part of the whole incident, and her client is not in a position to dispute the facts.

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