CALGARY - Convicted torturer Dustin Paxton will face a dangerous offender hearing beginning July 15, after the Crown received ministerial approval to proceed with such a bid.

Crown lawyer Joe Mercier told court on Wednesday the prosecution had received the okay from the attorney general to make the application, which could see Paxton locked up indefinitely.

Under the Criminal Code a dangerous offender bid cannot be made without the approval of the province's top prosecutor.
Paxton, 33, was not present for Mercier's announcement and the setting of his dangerous offender hearing.

He was convicted last Feb. 6 of charges of sexual assault and aggravated assault in connection with a series of attacks on his male roommate over an 18-month period.

Martin ruled Paxton regularly beat his former business partner when they lived together in Calgary and Regina.

Paxton remains in custody pending a decision on the dangerous offender hearing.