Send this page to someone via email

The 25-year-old man who plead guilty to charges in connection with a violent East Vancouver sexual assault on March 26 is expected in court tomorrow.

Caleb Timothy Heaton, who has a criminal record in Ontario, faced seven charges — break and enter, robbery, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault using a knife, sexual assault using a rock, choking and unlawful confinement. He plead guilty to aggravated assault in June.

The attack left the female victim in the hospital with serious injuries following a terrifying sexual assault in her apartment in the Strathcona neighbourhood of East Vancouver.

In Heaton’s first court appearance he told a judge he didn’t want a lawyer, raising concerns over his mental well being.

“The reason I’m representing myself is I’m dealing with a cyber criminal. I know that sounds odd, but the lawyers I’ve been dealing with haven’t been treating me fairly,” he said.

Story continues below advertisement

“I screwed over his gang. I met the man… the lawyers are taking bribes.”

However, he later agreed to have a lawyer and was back in court on June 29.

READ MORE: Strathcona residents gather for public meeting after brutal sexual assault

According to Vancouver police, the woman was home alone in her apartment when a man allegedly armed with weapons broke in and confronted her. The suspect, who did not know the victim, attacked her, tied her up and sexually assaulted her.

A witness heard her screams and went into the apartment where a struggle happened and the victim was able to escape. The Good Samaritan was able to hold the suspect until police arrived and took him into custody.

VPD Cst. Brian Montague said the attack was random and the suspect appeared to be new to the area.

Due to a court ordered publication ban, police are not releasing any additional information.

The community rallied around the victim and a GoFundMe account was started for the woman’s recovery, raising more than $45,000 in a matter of days.