The trial for repeat registered sex offender Stephen Hopkins is scheduled to begin this morning in Supreme Court in St. John’s.

The 30-year-old man is accused of following a 17-year-old girl to her Cowan Heights home, forcing his way in, and sexually assaulting her in September of 2020.

He had been released from jail just a couple of months earlier on conditions, after doing time for attacking female joggers near Confederation Building.

Hopkins is representing himself, with help from two lawyers, one of whom was appointed to cross-examine the alleged victim to prevent the accused from doing so.

Hopkins had sought a second delay in the trial so that he could consult other experts, but that was denied last month.

The court had already granted him a postponement so he could have more time to prepare for the trial, which is by judge alone.

Hopkins, who remains in custody, faces charges of sexual assault, forcible confinement, and threatening the alleged victim.