Man charged in sex assaults fires lawyer

By Lethbridge Herald on April 25, 2023.

Delon Shurtz
LETHBRIDGE HERALD

A local gymnastics coach accused of sexually assaulting several young girls last year, has fired his lawyer and changed his mind about how he wants to be tried.

During a hearing Monday in Court of King’s Bench, Jamie Ellacott told the judge he wants new counsel, and his lawyer was subsequently allowed to withdraw. 

No reason was given for the accused’s request for a new lawyer.

Ellacott, who last month elected to be tried by a Court of King’s Bench justice without a preliminary hearing, also asked the judge if he would be allowed to have a preliminary hearing, despite his previous election.

Madam Justice Johnna Kubick, however, told Ellacott she could not give him legal advice, and said he would need to discuss the matter with his new lawyer.

A preliminary hearing is typically held to determine if there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Ellacott faces five counts each of sexual interference and sexual assault of a person under the age of 16.

He was initially charged last July with single counts of sexual assault and sexual interference after police responded to a report that a seven-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted between May and June of 2022 while attending the Lethbridge Gymnastics Academy in the 3200 block of 32 Street North. Ellacott was released from custody on that matter with numerous conditions including he not have any contact with the child, and not have any contact or communication directly or indirectly with any person under the age of 16 unless in the presence of a responsible adult.

In August, police reported three more girls, ages 10, 12 and 14, were sexually assaulted during sessions at the gym in May, and Ellacott was charged again and released on bail with conditions he not have any contact with the girls or witnesses.

The  matter is scheduled to return to court on May 8 to determine whether Ellacott has retained a new lawyer.