Police have issued a warning that Donald Bakker, the first Canadian to be convicted under the country's rarely-used sex tourism law, is being released from prison and will likely reside in Vancouver.
Bakker was given a 10-year jail term in 2005 for an array of sex crimes including sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm and invitation to sexual touching after videotaping assaults on young girls between the ages of seven and 12 in Cambodia.
Const. Lindsey Houghton said Bakker was scheduled to be released from custody on Thursday morning, and that the Correctional Service of Canada has assessed him as a high risk to re-offend sexually.
"He poses significant harm and risk to the safety of female children under the age of 18 and female sex trade workers," he said.
Authorities are not at liberty to reveal where in the city he plans to live, Houghton added.
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.
