A young woman awaiting trial for the 1997 swarming death of Reena Virk in Victoria has been arrested and charged with an unrelated assault.

Kelly Ellard, 21, is charged with assault causing bodily harm following an attack on a 58-year-old woman in New Westminster.

Police say Ellard and a friend were drinking in a park in New Westminster on Tuesday afternoon, when they invited the older woman to join them.

Kelly Ellard (file photo)
Kelly Ellard (file photo)

Police spokesperson, Staff-Sgt. Casey Dehaas says Ellard and her friend accused the woman of stealing a cell phone. Police allege the two assaulted the woman.

Reena Virk
Reena Virk

"One of the assailants, Kelly Ellard, who's 21 years old now, living in New Westminster, was holding the victim down, while the other...19-year-old Danica Callighan, was actually assaulting the 58-year-old."

Dehaas says Ellard could also be charged with violating her bail conditions when she appears in court in New Westminster on Thursday.

Callighan has also been charged with assault causing bodily harm, and Dehaas says she could also face charges of breaching bail conditions. Both women are being held in custody.

Ellard is awaiting a new trial after being found guilty of second-degree murder in the 1997 death of the 14-year-old Virk. The B.C. Court of Appeal ruled in 2003 that the Crown had asked improper questions during Ellard's first trial.

Virk was swarmed by a group of teenage girls and one boy in November 1997. She served about 18 months in youth custody. She's been out on bail during her appeal, after receiving a mandatory life sentence.