A man accused of allegedly holding a girl captive at a remote northern Saskatchewan cabin is still trying to get out on bail.
Aaron Gardiner, 42, had another court appearance scheduled on Dec. 7 and a show cause hearing has been set for Jan. 11, 2021, in Meadow Lake Provincial Court.
There have been numerous delays and adjournments since Gardiner’s arrest in April because he has gone through about five lawyers. Gardiner has either fired the lawyers or they have withdrawn from representing him.
Gardiner was arrested by a specialized RCMP tactical unit, which was flown to the remote cabin by two military CH-146 Griffon helicopters to rescue the girl.
Île-à-la-Crosse RCMP had received a report shortly after 6 p.m. on April 23, 2020, that a girl was being held against her will for four days at a remote cabin across from Île-à-la-Crosse Lake. Police were told the man holding her had temporarily left the cabin. Île-à-la-Crosse RCMP made several patrols in the village of Île-à-la-Crosse trying to locate the suspect.
When not able to locate the suspect, RCMP officers strategized to find the safest way to cross the lake to reach the secluded cabin. Since Île-à-la-Crosse Lake was covered in water and slush, they determined the only way to the cabin was by air.
The Canadian Armed Forces was called to assist, as was the Saskatchewan Emergency Response Team (ERT).
Working quickly, just hours later, early in the morning of April 24, two Canadian Forces CH-146 Griffon helicopters flew the RCMP ERT tactical unit across the lake and landed beside the cabin. Police secured the area and safely rescued the girl from the cabin. She had minor bruising and was flown by helicopter back to her family in Île-à-la-Crosse.
Police say Gardiner tried fleeing from the cabin and resisted arrest so they deployed a Taser. He was treated in Île-à-la-Crosse for minor injuries.
Three months after Gardiner’s dramatic arrest, more alleged victims came forward to the police. In July, police additionally charged Gardiner with four counts of sexual assault, three counts of forcible confinement, uttering threats, assault, reckless discharge of a firearm, use of a firearm in commission of an offence, obstruction and breach of an undertaking.
Police say the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information to report to police is encouraged to contact Île-à-la-Crosse RCMP by calling 306-833-6300 or the Prince Albert General Investigation Section at 306-765-2105. Information can also by submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
The charges against Gardiner haven't been proven in court.
Île-à-la-Crosse is about 380 kilometres north of Prince Albert.
