Lobster dealer released from custody in southwest N.S. extortion case

A 65-year-old lobster dealer from southwest Nova Scotia accused of multiple counts of intimidation has been released from custody pending trial, following a hearing Wednesday in provincial court.

Eric David Thibault had been in custody since early February when he, along with his son and another man, were accused of trying to extort $10,000 from a former fisherman at his home near Saulnierville, N.S.

Judge Chris Manning released both Thibault and his son, Zacharie David Thibault, 32, on Wednesday. Details of the hearing in Annapolis Royal provincial court, including the reasons cited by the judge, are banned from publication.

The Crown was seeking to keep the pair in custody before their trial and to have their bail revoked on earlier charges related to their arrests in December in another alleged intimidation case.

Manning refused to revoke bail, and released the Thibaults on the same release conditions as December, in addition to a new order that they not contact or go near near the complainant in the most recent case.

Kevin Eric Langford, 32, who is the third man charged, was denied bail earlier this month.

The three men are charged with threatening to shoot up the alleged victim's home on Jan. 30, burn it down and kill his dogs, as well as extortion and intimidation.

RCMP have alleged Eric Thibault organized for Zacharie Thibault and Langford to go to the complainant's home.

Eric Thibault has several pending criminal cases, including charges of intimidation and witness intimidation laid over the last year. He and his son return to court March 31.