Dangerous offender who sexually abused boys in Niagara region granted unescorted leave from prison

WARNING: This article contains details of abuse involving children, and may affect those who've experienced sexual violence or know anyone affected by it.

A dangerous offender who "preyed" on and sexually assaulted at least 11 boys in Ontario's Niagara Region and was imprisoned indefinitely beginning in 2006 has been allowed to live in the community, unescorted, for weeks at a time, says the Parole Board of Canada (PBC).

Cory Newton, 54, deliberately lured, abused and victimized boys between ages eight and 14 who were from "troubled" backgrounds or dysfunctional families in St. Catharines and Welland.

He was convicted of crimes that took place between 1996 and 2002, and later admitted in prison to sexually abusing 20 to 30 children beginning in the 1980s, according to a PBC decision.

His crimes, and their impact, have made headlines in Niagara and beyond since the early 2000s.

Newton is currently in a minimum-security prison in Ontario. He was designated a dangerous offender 19 years ago and incarcerated without a set release date. That status is reviewed after seven years by PBC and every two years after that. 

PBC granted Newton four unescorted temporary absences, according to a 2023 decision.

The absences range from five days to 60 days for "personal development," with PBC decision noting that while in prison, Newton has completed programs for sexual offenders to lower his chances of committing more crimes. 

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) was also in favour of the absences, despite a 2023 psychological assessment that determined he has a "well above average risk" to commit more sexual offences, PBC said. 

"It was also noted you appear to have done all that has been asked of you to make the required changes, to gain insight, and to remain committed to a path of successful reintegration," said the PBC's decision.

The public is not informed of the details of Newton's release, such as when he's allowed out of prison or what city he is staying in, CSC spokesperson Kerry Gatien said in an email. 

It's unknown how many absences he's completed, but they must be at least three months apart, according to the PBC's decision.

The decision only states he would live in a community-based residential facility — or halfway house — outside the Niagara region. He must also return to the facility at night and have no contact with children or victims, and isn't allowed go to places where children are likely to be.

Ryan Johnson is executive director at St. Leonard's Society of Hamilton, which runs two halfway houses and supports federal inmates on unescorted temporary absences or parole.

Johnson said there's a "huge benefit" to temporary absences because it gives offenders the chance to gradually reintegrate, which can be a "daunting task," and staff has time to determine what supports they need and if they are a good fit for the community. 

Johnson spoke generally about the services halfway houses like St. Leonard's provide and not about Newton's case specifically.

"Our experience is that people don't do well when they're ostracized and isolated — that's when people get stressed out," Johnson said. "When you have a community that understands what that individual did and is not shaming them but building a trusting relation, if they're struggling, they can work through it." 

Dozens of dangerous offenders granted absences

CSC is required by law to protect the privacy of federal prisoners, including dangerous offenders like Newton, said Gatien, although local police and the parole board's office will be notified. 

"CSC contributes to public safety by exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane offender control, in addition to promoting safe reintegration," said Gatien. 

The federal agency ensures "appropriate accommodations" and provides "effective correctional programs and interventions," she said.

Temporary absences from prison are usually the first type of release the parole board grants an inmate. The next step would be day parole and then, if successful, full parole, but neither is guaranteed, according to PBC's website. Dangerous offenders are allowed to apply for any of these absences once they've served a certain amount of time in prison. 

"The paramount consideration in all PBC decisions is the protection of society," PBC spokesperson Iulia Pescarus Popa said in a statement. 

Newton also applied for day and full parole, but the board denied the request, deeming it "very premature." 

There were 893 dangerous offenders as of 2022, all men except for nine women, according to CSC. The vast majority remained in custody, with 157 living in the community under supervision — either on parole or on temporary absences.

In 2023, PBS granted a total of 203 unescorted temporary absences, including for 21 dangerous offenders, said Popa. Last year, 276 unescorted temporary absences were approved for federal inmates and 32 were dangerous offenders. 

PBC deemed Newton 'a predator'

The dangerous offender designation is reserved for Canada's most violent criminals and sexual offenders who have a high risk of reoffending. The designation carries with it an automatic sentence of imprisonment for an indeterminate period, with no chance of parole for seven years.

Among the country's most notorious dangerous offenders is Paul Bernardo, who kidnapped, sexually assaulted and murdered teenagers Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy in the 1990s. 

In Newton's case, he would date women in order to target their children, PBC said, and he'd make children perform sex acts on him as well as each other. 

"Your appetite for sexual gratification turned you into a predator," the decision said.

Police began investigating after one of Newton's victims told his mother about the abuse, said the decision. 

Along with child pornography on his computer, police found he'd made detailed lists of each victim's preferences, and had stashed away snacks, toys and games for young children. 

"The police also found videotapes of you engaged in sexual acts with the victims, board games with modified and sexualized rules, and evidence that you were using the victims to 'recruit' more victims for you," the decision said.

Victims continue to suffer, board says

After being arrested in the early 2000s and released on bail, Newton continued to commit sexual crimes against children that the PBC described as "highly problematic." 

After a judge deemed him a dangerous offender and a sex offender in 2006, he was entitled to apply for unescorted temporary absences later that year and for full parole in 2009.

The parole board's Nov. 17, 2023, decision said Newton's victims have experienced "criminalization and mental health issues."

"Their lives have been altered by the abuse they experienced … Many, if not all of the victims have yet to find their way back to a full sense [of] normality."

The victims' identities are protected as they're survivors of sexual assault and were minors at the time of the abuse.

Victims are informed of decisions regarding the person who harmed them if they've registered with CSC or PBS, said CSC spokesperson Wendy Smith. They also have the opportunity to submit information for the board to consider.

Newton has completed six months of supervised volunteer community service with no issues, the board said. He's worked while incarcerated in the paint shop and food services departments. 

He could not be reached for comment through his previous legal counsel.

Newton previously told the board he planned to use the time outside prison to learn local bus routes, open a bank account, acquire a health card, contact community supports, attend programming and find a job. 

"The board acknowledges that you have sought and garnered support in a city that you are not familiar with," it said. "You chose the city in question so as not to be in proximity of the victims or their families. Your desire to not cause any further trauma ... has been noted." 

Along with no contact with children or victims, Newton must report all relationships with women, and whether they have children under 16 years old, to his parole supervisor, as well as follow his treatment plan, and not use the internet unless approved.

Johnson, who runs the two halfway houses in Hamilton, said it's standard practice for offenders to be required to check in regularly throughout the day with staff. Halfway houses also decide who they are able to manage, "vigorously" vetting offenders beforehand. 

"We want to make sure the community is safe," Johnson said. 

If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. For support in your area, you can look for crisis lines and local services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. ​​