A Cape Breton couple set to face trial in Port Hawkesbury for sex charges involving a minor, have asked to be tried together.

Daryl and Shelley Digout have also requested to represent themselves, according to Melissa Noonan, Senior Director of Strategic Communications from the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service.

The Digouts were charged in May 2023, for an alleged incident in 2020.

They then went missing but found weeks later in Richmond County.

The Digouts pleaded not guilty to failing to appear in court, being at large, sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation.

They will be in court Thursday, for an application hearing.

Noonan says, “The Crown expects to address issues around cross-examination during this appearance.”