A scheduled four-day hearing to determine if convicted sexual sadist Don Bakker who is living in Abbotsford warranted continued restrictions on his freedom - even after completing a jail term - was called off on Monday after he agreed to new court conditions.
Photograph by: File photo , Abbotsford Times
A scheduled four-day hearing to determine if convicted sexual sadist Don Bakker warranted continued restrictions on his freedom - even after completing a jail term - was called off on Monday after he agreed to the conditions.
Crown prosecutors were prepared this week to replay video evidence that sent Bakker to jail in 2004 for sexual assault against three Vancouver prostitutes so he could be declared a dangerous offender.
The hearing was based on a Crown application for a "peace bond" under 810.2 of the Canada Criminal Code on behalf of a person who fears Bakker would commit "serious personal harm" if he didn't have restrictions on his movements.
They are similar to conditions that have restricted his movements since he moved into the community last year. He was last known to be living in an Abbotsford halfway house.
Vancouver provincial court Judge Karen Walker read a statement that said Bakker was at high risk to reoffend, based partly on psychiatric reports, and asked him if he agreed to the conditions.
Bakker, dressed in a white sweatshirt and jeans with a shaved balding fringe, answered "yes" in a quiet voice.
Among the conditions are that Bakker stay away from playgrounds, areas where prostitutes are known to work and from using the Internet.
Bakker was also convicted in Canada of sex crimes against girls aged seven to 12 in Cambodia - the first Canadian prosecuted under Canada's "sex tourism" laws.
Crown prosecutor Brendan McCabe had been expected to replay video of Bakker's sexual assaults against the three B.C. victims at the hearing.
When Bakker moved to Abbotsford last year, police warned the public of his practice of picking up the most vulnerable and "dope-sick" street workers and videotaping himself abusing them.
The peace bond also orders him to be of good behaviour and to check in with police. He can only use a publicly provided computer in public view and to own a cellphone as long as it's not connected to the Internet.
Violating a condition is a criminal offence and Judge Walker told Bakker he would be jailed for a year if he's found to breach a condition.
