Bathroom break: Gangster awaiting murder trial gets toilet paper and soap as requested

A Calgary judge has ordered sheriffs to provide accused murderer Nick Chan with soap and toilet paper for his morning bathroom breaks at the Calgary Courts Centre.

Chan, 39,made the applicationwhich includedan affidavit on Thursday arguingsheriffs would only give him one or two squares of toilet paper and at times and said he has no access to soap, likely as "some form of punishment."

"Mr. Chan has been deprived of his liberty but he should not be deprived of his dignity or his humanity," said Court of Queen's Bench Justice Paul Jeffrey in delivering his order.

"I am astounded it would take this kind of a process to get what would seem to be a straight forward result."

• Gangster awaiting murder trial raises stink over bathroom breaks at court

Chan is currently on trial for weapons-related charges.

He did face a murder trial in October for his alleged role as a leader in the2002 to2009 gang war during which more than two dozen were killed, but on Thursdayit was rebooked for April 2018.

Jeffreyordered sheriffs to comply with the Public Health Act and allow him to properly clean himself after using the washroom.

Chan says his clockwork constitution means he makes regular bathroom visits between 7a.m. when he arrives at court andlunch time, which involveda bagged lunch usually consisting of a sandwich, veggie sticks and an apple.

Without being able to properly clean himself, Chan claims he is putting his health and the health of others atrisk as he sometimes touches court exhibits that are then passed around by lawyers, clerks and the judge.

Chan has repeatedly complained over the last decadeabout life behind bars as he awaits his criminal trials. Most recently, in January2016, Chan went on a hunger strike at the Remand Centre over conditions he claimed were unfair.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS| Calgary stolen bike database wasn't wheeled out due to lack of funds
• MORE CALGARY NEWS|'I'm trying to save his life': Judge blasts Alberta government for mentally ill teen with nowhere to go