Illness delays MacIntosh sex trial

The sudden illness of a defence lawyeris forcinga delay in the trial of Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh, a former businessman accused of molesting six boys.

MacIntosh's first trial was set to begin Monday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Port Hawkesbury.

But defence attorney David Bright suffered a "heart illness" on Saturday, forcing the defence to seek a delay, said John Young, managing partner of the law firm Boyne Clarke.

A lawyer from the firmtold the court Monday that Bright could be off for six to eight weeks, and he's the only lawyer prepared for trial.

Justice Simon MacDonald said the delay is a concern for both MacIntosh and the complainants, but saidthe situation is beyond anyone's control. He set a new trial date forJuly 5.

MacIntosh ischarged with 36 sex-related offences for allegedly assaulting sixboys in eastern Nova Scotia inthe1970s.

Hewas arrested in April 2007 in India, where he worked as a telecommunications specialist for 13 years. He was extradited to Canada two months later.

MacIntoshwas released from custody in April 2008 on $60,000 bail. He's beenlivingin the Halifax region ever since undercourt-imposed conditions.

MacIntosh faces two separate trials because the complaints have been divided into two groups.