Woman allegedly held captive, sexually assaulted in Lethbridge basement: police

A woman is now recovering in hospital from serious injuries after a landlord discovered her in the basement of a Lethbridge home, police say.

City police were called to a home on 16 Avenue South last week after the landlord discovered the 30-year-old woman severely hurt in the basement of the house.

Paramedics transported the woman to Chinook Regional Hospital where she was admitted for treatment of her extensive injuries, according to police.

An investigation determined the victim had met the suspect earlier in the month outside the city and she had been driven to Lethbridge.

She was then taken to the southside home where she was held against her will and repeatedly sexually assaulted over four days, authorities say.

They add the woman is still being treated in hospital.

While police were on scene at the home, a man matching the suspect’s description returned and was arrested without incident.

Bernard Alonzo Gibson, 59, of Lethbridge, is facing charges of aggravated sexual assault, unlawful confinement and failing to comply with bail conditions stemming from a previous incident in March 2023 where he was charged with sexual assault, assault and unlawful confinement in connection with an incident where a woman was held against her will and assaulted over the course of two days before she was able to escape.

Gibson was taken into custody and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

Police say the investigation into the matter is ongoing.