The trial of a man accused of raping a teenage girl in her Cowan Heights home has been postponed indefinitely.

30-year-old Stephen Hopkins had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, forcible confinement and threatening the girl after the incident in September of 2020.

The trial was due to start Janaury 10th.

But in Supreme Court this morning, the Crown and judge reluctantly granted Hopkins’ request for more time to prepare his case, citing problems he’s had receiving and viewing all the evidence against him while in custody at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary.

Hopkins has chosen to represent himself, with help from two lawyers, one of which was appointed by the Attorney General to cross-examine the girl, to avoid Hopkins questioning her on the stand.

The Crown and judge expressed serious concerns with the trial being postponed, acknowledging while it’s not Hopkins’ fault, he has repeatedly been urged to get a lawyer to avoid delays given the complexities of the case.

It will be called again on January 10th for a status report and to possibly set a new date for the trial.