Convicted 'sex tourist' released from prison

Vancouver police have issued a public warning about the release from prison of Canada's first convicted child-sex tourist.

Donald Bakker was convicted in 2005 of sexually assaulting three B.C. sex trade workers and of committing sex crimes involving young girls in Cambodia.

"He poses significant harm and risk to the safety of female children under the age of 18 and female sex trade workers," said Vancouver police spokesman Const. Lindsey Houghton.

Bakker, 48, will be living under a curfew and his movements will be restricted by 23 parole conditions, including not being allowed to possess a computer capable of accessing the internet, or to go near areas that sex trade workers frequent.

Bakker is also not permitted to have contact with anyone under 18 years of age.

Houghton said Bakker will be living in the city but would not disclose where, which angered Winnipeg lawyer Rosalind Prober, who is with the group Beyond Borders.

"Rather than this, what I would call this rinky-dink fashion of dealing with these guys, the sex offender registry should be open to the public and you will know where he lives," Prober said Thursday.

A Crown lawyer will go to court in July to seek a peace bond which could result in the strict conditions imposed on Bakker be extended for at least one year, said B.C. Criminal Justice Branch spokesman Neil Mackenzie.

"From psychological and psychiatric assessments, there is a concern or risk that he will commit a further, serious, personal injury offence," Mackenzie said.