A new arraignment date has been set for an Ontario man accused of scamming thousands of dollars from seniors in the metro area.

However, whether the case actually goes to trial remains to be seen.

Twenty-six-year-old Charles Gillen was intercepted and arrested at St. John’s International Airport in March of last year as he attempted to leave the province.

Police allege he travelled to the city to collect cash from nans and pops hoodwinked by the so-called grandparents scam, where crooks pose as grandkids in trouble with the law, as well as the police or lawyers asking for money to bail them out.

More than a dozen distressed and panicked grandparents fell for it, forking out thousands of dollars in response to what turned out to be fake sob stories.

Gillen faces 46 charges in total, including multiple counts of fraud and extortion.

Trial dates were to be set last month, but he has since retained new counsel with a new arraignment date set for Jan. 13th.

Both the Crown and defence held off on setting dates today for trial, noting discussions are ongoing toward avoiding one that would last weeks.

Meanwhile, Gillen remains free on conditions — ironically after being bailed out by his own grandmother.