A Calgary judge has ordered a mental health assessment for Dustin Paxton, 30, accused in the assault on his former roommate. (Regina Police Service)Dustin Paxton must undergo a psychiatric evaluation as he awaits trial on charges of forcible confinement and assault in two separate cases, a Calgary judge says.

Paxton, accused of a long-running series of attacks that left Dustin LaFortune badly scarred and emaciated, made a brief court appearance Friday via closed-circuit television from the Calgary Remand Centre.

Provincial court Judge Heather Lamoureux ordered a 30-day assessment for Paxton, 30, before he appears in court again on Oct. 1.

Paxton is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of forcible confinement in connection with the attacks on LaFortune, 26, his former roommate.

LaFortune's family has said the assault amounted to torture.

Police believe Paxton assaulted LaFortune in Calgary between Dec. 1, 2008, and March 2, 2010, and again in Regina between March 15 and April 16, the day LaFortune turned up at Regina General Hospital.

Paxton's lawyer, Jim Lutz, said the assessment will help his client prepare for trial.

"Of course, he's gravely concerned with the allegations, but again, he'd like to know what the whole story is before he takes the next step," Lutz said. "This assessment is … [so] that we can be sure that he's in the right place to start directing counsel in the trial."

Paxton was arrested last week in Edmonton and transferred to Calgary, where the investigation is being handled.

Last Thursday, Paxton was also charged with the forcible confinement and aggravated assault of a Calgary girl.

On Wednesday, police admitted that someone called 911 about LaFortune's well-being in February, but no action was taken.