Halifax man defends self in dangerous offender hearing

Crown prosecutors are attempting to have a 43-year-old wheelchair-bound sex offender declared a dangerous offender. The label could lead to an indefinite jail term for Lloyd Eugene Bailey.

Bailey is currently serving a jail term after sexually assaulting three women and physically attacking four others.

Tuesday, Bailey's sentencing hearing for a sex attack on a 19-year-old woman at a Halifax hotel was supposed to begin, but the proceedings quickly came to a halt when Bailey fired his lawyer.

The judge said Bailey had no reason to fire Brian Church, he was doing an excellent job. The move forced another adjournment.

Bailey didn't comment as he was wheeled into a police van after the court appearance.

Long history

Bailey's pattern of violence started long before he had a debilitating car accident.

"He can offend while he is in a wheelchair," said Paul Carver, crown attorney. "Sexual assault causing bodily harm is among the most serious offences in the code, so the Crown would obviously consider him to be one of the greatest risks to the public"

Ten years ago, a prosecutor made the case for Bailey to be declared a dangerous offender after he molested a 12-year-old girl. A judge rejected the argument.

Bailey re-offended nine months after being released from prison.

"To say whether it was an error at that particular time or not, is not something I can comment on," said Carver. "Obviously, given that he went on to commit a further offence years later, shows that he continues to be a risk."

The hearing is now scheduled to resume Thursday.