Canadian Senator and his two friends was further delayed yesterday.

And it is possible that all three victims in the case may be required to return to Bermuda to give evidence in the case during a "Newton hearing'' before a sentence can be passed.

Anthony Richardson, 23, of Pembroke will return to court for mention on March 3 after his lawyer, Archibald Warner, disputed two pieces of evidence contained in the summary of facts.

A brief discussion between him and Crown Counsel Khamisi Tokunbo failed to resolve the matter so he asked Chief Justice Austin Ward to set the matter down for mention in order to set a hearing date.

Mr. Warner said if the summary of facts was accepted in its present form, then it would seriously conflict with his mitigation.

The only way he could see to resolve it, he said, was to have the witnesses return to the Island. It was what one of them had said in relation to the count of serious sexual assault that he said he disputed.

A Newton hearing provides the judge with a chance to hear all the contradicting evidence.

Mr. Warner added that his client's position was that he was still guilty but the court had to determine the gravity of the offence before sentencing.

Richardson had pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a woman friend of Canadian Senator Don Oliver at a house in Middle Road, Southampton, on August 12 last year.

He further admitted three counts of armed robbery involving the Senator, the woman and her husband.

Four additional charges against him,including deprivation of liberty and housebreaking, were held back but remain on the record.

At Richardson's last appearance for sentencing in January he was again remanded in custody because a social inquiry report was not ready.

Supreme Court heard in November that Richardson entered the house brandishing a knife and tied up and robbed the three.

The house was rented by Sen. Oliver's wife, Bermuda Telephone Company executive Linda Oliver.

Richardson sexually assaulted the woman visitor before escaping with more than $3,000 in jewellery and cash.

Anthony Richardson