A new trial date has been set for a repeat violent sex offender accused of raping a teenage girl in her Cowan Heights home.

30-year-old Stephen Hopkins faces charges of sexual assault, forcible confinement and threatening the girl after the alleged incident in September of 2020.

Hopkins had been released from jail only a couple of months earlier, after serving time for attacking two female joggers on the Long Pond trail near Confederation Building.

He was ordered to follow numerous conditions, including that he report to the sex offender registry and his parole officer, which he failed to do.

The trial was due to start today, but was delayed to give Hopkins more time to review all the evidence against him, as well as due to current COVID-19 restrictions under Alert Level 4.

It’s now scheduled to begin with jury selection on May 2.

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.