'Utter terror': Stanley Park sexual assault linked to other attacks

One victim described her sexual assault — in a bathroom at Stanley Park — as "utter terror."

Another said she was forced to leave college as a result of the trauma of an encounter with a naked attacker.

And yet another told the court she feels vulnerable and fearful in public after being confronted at a bus stop by a masked, knife-wielding assailant.

Earlier this month, a provincial court judge sent the 43-year-old responsible for all three crimes, Randolph Gladwin Schneider, to jail for nearly two and a half years.

'Utter terror, overwhelming fear for safety'

Judge Reginald Harris' ruling contains disturbing details about a series of crimes which received little publicity, despite the fact one of them happened in a washroom at one of Vancouver's most beloved tourist attractions at 8 a.m.

According to the decision, Gladwin has rung up 81 convictions since the age of 13 for "an eclectic criminal history of noncompliance, drug offences, property offending, violence and sexual offending."

When they raided his apartment, police found 69 pieces of women's underwear, a black open-face balaclava and a white nylon mask with cut-out eye holes matching a description given by the Stanley Park victim.

"Her words regarding her emotions as they relate to the offence are particularly poignant," Harris wrote.

"They read: Utter terror, overwhelming fear for safety, nervousness, anger, feeling of loss, frustration, trapped, regret, helplessness, feelings of abandonment, loneliness, cry easily, stressed."

The victim — known as L.T. — no longer goes to Stanley Park and she has altered her work routine to avoid being alone. She takes medication to help her cope.

Not going to 'take no for an answer'

Schneider pleaded guilty to break-and-enter, robbery and sexual assault in relation to three incidents spanning a time period from November 2014 to February 2015.

In the first, he appeared outside the victim's apartment at 7 a.m while she was working on her computer. Schneider was naked except for a red wig. He opened a sliding glass door and made his way to a bedroom, where the victim, J.E. was hiding with her roommate.

They managed to keep the door closed and Schneider left. He took a pair of underwear and the computer on his way out.

The next incident happened at a bus stop. Schneider was wearing a balaclava and had a knife taped to his chest. He said "I just want you to pee on me, and no-one's going to get hurt."

One woman screamed. Another shoved her bag at Schneider.

L.T. had been watching a running event at Stanley Park when she entered the women's washroom. As she moved towards an empty stall, Schneider confronted her within the confined area. He wore the nylon mask across his entire face.

"According to L.T., Mr. Schneider said something that sounded like, "peeing in the mouth" and that he was not going to, "take no for an answer," Harris wrote.

"L.T. screamed and swore at Mr. Schneider who immediately began to flee from the washroom. When Mr. Schneider was exiting, he accidentally bumped L.T."

All victims 'severely traumatized'

The Crown argued that Schneider deserved a sentence of between five and seven years, less time served.

He was adopted as an infant and raised by a disciplinarian father. He was placed in foster care at the age of 14 and was last employed at a pizza restaurant where he spent most of his time dealing cocaine.

Schneider has a long history of "problematic, sexually inappropriate behaviour." He masturbated in front of peers, made obscene phone calls to his mother and drilled holes in a bathroom to watch his grandmother urinate.

"The offences committed by Mr. Schneider were serious, and although no physical harm occurred, all of the victims were severely traumatized," Harris wrote.

"Mr. Schneider targeted vulnerable women in that they were out at night, in a restroom or young and in their own home."

The judge said Schneider's prospects are "minimal" but that a longer sentence would destroy any chance of rehabilitation. He also noted that while any sexual assault is serious, Schneider's was "at the low end of the scale."

The total sentence was four years and eight months. But after accounting for time served, Schneider will go to jail for two years, four months and one week.