Abbotsford Police, similar to the Vancouver Police pictured above earlier this spring, are issuing a public warning to the community about dangerous offender Don Bakker, the first Canadian convicted of sex tourism crimes for abusing children.
Photograph by: File png photo , for the Abbotsford Times
Don Bakker, the first Canadian ever convicted for sex tourism crimes after abusing young girls in Cambodia, may be coming to live in Abbotsford.
Abbotsford Police are warning the public that Bakker, released from prison in late May and who formerly settled in Penticton, may be residing or frequenting the community, said Const. Ian MacDonald.
"Anybody with a criminal history of violent offences targeting the most vulnerable members of society is someone we would offer a caution about to our citizens," said MacDonald.
Upon his release after serving a full sentence, the Penticton RCMP and Vancouver police issued advisories about Bakker, deemed a dangerous sex offender with a high risk to reoffend, particularly against girls under 18 and female prostitutes.
Baker was sentenced in 2005 after pleading guilty to sexually abusing seven Cambodian girls, ranging from 7 to 14 years old, and assaulting sex-trade workers in Vancouver.
VPD officers investigating the local crimes discovered Bakker in possession of videotape recordings of his assaults against the Vancouver women and the children in Cambodia.
Bakker, 48, is subject to a series of strict conditions, and the APD is hoping the public can help ensure he abides by them, said MacDonald.
"Public diligence is crucial. People can do their part to ensure public safety by contacting police should they see Mr. Bakker violating those conditions," he said.
Bakker is Caucasian with brown hair and eyes. He weighs 155 pounds and is five feet six inches tall.
He is prohibited contact with anyone under 18 or to attend parks or swimming areas where children are known to be present. He is banned from contact with sex trade workers or possessing any electronic device that connects to the Internet.
He cannot possess any weapons and tools or devices that can be used as a restraint. Bakker must abide by a curfew between 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
-Anyone who sees Bakker violate his condition should contact their local police agency or the APD at 604-859-5225.
- with files from The Province
RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
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Abbotsford Police, similar to the Vancouver Police pictured above earlier this spring, are issuing a public warning to the community about dangerous offender Don Bakker, the first Canadian convicted of sex tourism crimes for abusing children.
Photograph by: File png photo , for the Abbotsford Times
