Halifax man elects jury trial on luring, child porn charges

A Halifax man facing five charges, including internet luring and making sexually explicit material available to someone under the age of 18, has elected to be tried by a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge and jury.

Lionel Mark Pilon, 39, is also charged with corrupting a young person’s morals, making child pornography and possessing child pornography.

Pilon made the election Monday, when he appeared in Halifax provincial court with lawyer Don Murray.

Murray said his client wanted to have a preliminary inquiry in provincial court on some of the charges. Judge Christine Driscoll scheduled that hearing for Nov. 29.

A preliminary inquiry determines if there is sufficient evidence against an accused for their charges to proceed to trial. It’s also an opportunity for the defence to test the strength of the Crown’s witnesses.

Police allege the offences were committed between July 14 and Sept. 8, 2022.

Pilon was arrested in November 2023 and released on an undertaking to police. The order was amended by the judge Monday with the consent of the defence and the Crown.

Pilon is prohibited from having contact with the alleged victim, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, or anyone under the age of 16 who is not with a parent or guardian.

The undertaking stipulates he is allowed to drop off and pick up his own children at school or after-school activities and to attend school or community activities involving his children, if other parents or guardians are present.

Pilon is banned from seeking or obtaining any employment – paid or volunteer – that would place him in a position of trust with persons under the age of 16.

There’s also a condition saying he cannot use the internet or other digital networks except for the purposes of work or communication with people over the age of 18.