A prominent Thunder Bay lawyer facing charges of assault and sexual assault has been denied bail.

In a decision handed down in Thunder Bay court on Wednesday, Alexander Zaitzeff was ordered to remain in custody by Justice of the Peace John Guthrie.

Guthrie's ruling comes after a contested bail hearing, which took place Tuesday.

The specifics of the hearing are subject to a publication ban.

Zaitzeff will next appear in court on Thursday, Dec. 8.

He has been charged with a number of offences, including five counts of assault, two counts of sexual assault and one count each of mischief, invitation to sexual touching, sexual interference and breach of recognizance.​