HALIFAX – The lawyer for a man charged with violating a publication ban in a sexual assault trial in Halifax has been granted time to hear what penalties the Crown is considering.
Judge Patrick Curran granted the adjournment in Dartmouth provincial court, requiring David Winslow Sparks to return on Jan. 12.
The 62-year-old Sparks was charged in September after police alleged he posted on social media the name of the victim in the sexual assault case.
The identity of the victim is protected by a publication ban.
Defence lawyer Lyle Howe was sentenced to three years in prison in July after being found guilty by a jury of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in March 2011.
Howe’s lawyer has filed an appeal in that case.
His wife Laura McCarthy, who is also a defence lawyer, represents Sparks.
McCarthy said outside court she’s unclear what potential penalty the Crown is seeking and needs that information before advising her client on a plea.
Outside court, Sparks said the alleged offence was a post on Facebook and he’s eager to deal with the matter in court and move on.
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