THUNDER BAY — A man facing numerous sexual assault charges dating back to the 1970s and 1980s has been ordered to undergo an assessment to determine if he is fit to stand trial.
Wayne Gilberds, 64, appeared before Justice Chantal Brochu in a Thunder Bay Courtroom for a trial that was scheduled to open on Tuesday.
Gilberds was first arrested by the Thunder Bay Police Service on March 11, 2021 and charged with two counts of indecent assault on a male, two counts of indecent assault on a female, and two counts of sexual intercourse with a female under the age of 14.
An investigation was launched by the Thunder Bay Police Service in 2017. The charges date back to incidents between 1973 and 1982 and involve four victims who were between the ages of six and 14-years-old.
According to the initial media release by the Thunder Bay Police Service, Gilberds was known to the victims through the East End Boys and Girls Club, which was known as the Wayside Club at the time.
On Tuesday, Gilberds initially entered pleas to several of the charges, but when he appeared again on Wednesday, he had difficulty understanding the court proceedings.
Brochu asked Gilberds if the pleas he made were voluntary and he said he did not know. Gilberds told the court he entered the pleas under the impression that it would come with a joint submission from the Crown and he claimed that was no longer the case.
Due to the confusion and difficulty communicating with Gilberds, his defense counsel requested a 30-day assessment to determine if he is fit to stand trial.
Brochu granted the motion and the previous pleas were struck from the record. The matter will return on Jan. 12, 2023 when the assessment is expected to be completed.
