Infamous Okanagan man’s trial slowed again

PENTICTON – An infamous Oliver offender facing trial on several assault charges continues to have issues finding a lawyer.

Afshin Ighani was in Penticton court today facing several assault charges including assaulting a peace officer, stemming from incidents that have occurred during Ighani's incarceration at Okanagan Correctional Centre.

Ighani told Judge Gary Weatherill he has been in touch with legal aid officials in a bid to find new representation after he fired his lawyer earlier this year but did not expect to hear from legal aid regarding new representation for another week.

Weatherill asked Ighani what other steps he had taken in seeking new representation, to which Ighani replied he wasn’t sure of the process and was taking it “one day at a time.”

Weatherill suggested Ighani look into completing a Rowbotham application to have the court appoint representation in the event he is denied legal aid.

Crown prosecutor John Swanson told the court the Crown would be seeking significant jail time for the offences, noting Ighani also faced a similar issue of no legal counsel with respect to another matter currently before the courts.

The judge adjourned Ighani’s trial until Oct. 21 to allow Ighani time to determine new counsel, at which time a date for continuation of the trial will be set.

Ighani's other matter before the courts involves 10 charges including kidnapping, assault and weapons charges after an incident that took place in Manning Park on April 22, 2017.

Ighani is accused of forcing Jodie Walker and her boyfriend Christopher William Gliege to drive him from Okanagan Falls to the Lower Mainland. The Crown alleges he forced Gliege out of the vehicle by gunpoint on a remote road in Manning Park, firing a shot over his head at one point.

Gliege was eventually left on a logging road, while Ighani and Walker drove back to Princeton, where they were arrested by police after being located in a trailer park.

For more stories on Afshin Ighani, click on this link.

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