Police have issued a public warning that Donald Bakker, the first Canadian to be convicted under the country's rarely-used sex tourism law, has moved to the Okanagan.
Authorities initially believed Bakker would stay in Vancouver, where he lived before being jailed for sadistically abusing three B.C. sex workers and filming assaults on seven young girls between the ages of seven and 12 in Cambodia.
On Monday, Mounties announced the 48-year-old had relocated to Penticton instead.
Bakker was sentenced in 2005 to 10 years in prison for an array of sex crimes including sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm and invitation to sexual touching, but received credit for time already served and was released from custody last Thursday.
The Correctional Service of Canada has assessed him as a high risk to re-offend sexually, and Mounties say he poses a risk to the safety of women under the age of 18 and sex trade workers.
Authorities are not at liberty to reveal where in Penticton he plans to live.
Bakker's release is subject to a number of conditions, including that he:
- have no contact with anyone under the age of 18
- not attend public parks, swimming areas, daycare centres, playgrounds, schools or camping grounds where minors may be present
- not have any contact with sex trade workers
- not have any pornography in his possession or at his home
- not own or access any personal computer or electronic devices, including cell phones that can access the internet
- not possess any cameras, video cameras or devices capable of capturing visual images or audio
- not leave home between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily except for the purpose of employment and with permission from his bail supervisor
Anyone who sees Bakker violating any of his conditions is asked to call 911.
