Police charge Lethbridge male, 59, with aggravated sexual assault, unlawful confinement

Posted on 23 May 2023 by Prairie Post

Lethbridge Police have charged a 59-year-old male in connection with a violent incident where a woman was held against her will and sexually assaulted.

On May 18 police responded to a residence along the 1500 block of 16 Avenue South after receiving a report from the landlord that he had found an injured woman in the basement. EMS transported the 30-year-old victim to Chinook Regional Hospital, where she was admitted for treatment of extensive injuries. An investigation by Patrols and the Violent Crimes Unit determined the female had met the male earlier in the month outside the city and had been driven to Lethbridge. She was subsequently taken to the southside home, unlawfully confined and repeatedly sexually assaulted over the course of four days. The victim remains in hospital at this time.

While police were on scene at the home, a male matching the suspect’s description returned and was arrested without incident.

Bernard Alonzo Gibson, 59, of Lethbridge, is charged with aggravated sexual assault, unlawful confinement and failing to comply with bail conditions stemming from a previous incident in March 2023 where he was charged with sexual assault, assault and unlawful confinement in connection with an incident where a woman was held against her will and assaulted over the course of two days before she was able to escape.

Gibson is remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court today.

Investigation in the matter is ongoing.