Larry Takahashi, one of Canada’s most notorious rapists, has been granted day parole in the Vancouver area.
Takahashi, dubbed the ‘Balaclava Rapist’, was known for breaking into homes and sexually assaulting women while wearing a ski mask. Edmonton Police said at the time that it was likely he assaulted over 100 women before being arrested in 1983.
In 1984, he faced 70 charges involving 22 women but was only convicted of 14 charges, including four counts of rape, sexual assault with a weapon, and six counts of disguise with intent.
He was given three life sentences.
Documents from the Parole Board of Canada say Takahashi used a knife and other sharp objects to threaten his victims, and in one instance threatened the infant child of a victim.
He also sexually assaulted a victim in front of her children and another while her family members slept in the next room.
The documents say he also used a rope on at least one victim and repeatedly punched another in the face.
He has admitted to raping other victims but it is unknown how many.
READ MORE: ‘Your life should be done’: Victim of ‘Balaclava rapist’, Larry Takahashi speaks
The Parole Board says multiple psychiatric assessments showed Takahashi has a tendency to be “selfish, callous, and remorseless.”
They deem him to be a moderate-to-high risk for sexual and violent re-offending. Though he admits he continues to have fantasies about raping women, the Parole Board believes he is able to “manage them.”
Takahashi, now 63, was previously released on parole in 2013 and was supposed to spend 60 days in a half-way house in Victoria. He was sent back to prison early after only a few weeks.
The incident was the latest in several parole violations that sent him back behind bars. In August 2005 while on day parole, Takahashi met with a convicted sex offender in Vancouver and was ordered back to prison.
In a written statement to Global News, the Correctional Service Canada (CSC) said:
CSC’s mission is to contribute to the safe reintegration of offenders through risk assessment, community supervision, appropriate accommodation, and effective correctional programs and interventions.
There is a comprehensive period of pre-release planning undertaken before an offender is returned to the community. During this period, Parole Officers develop a community supervision plan for the offender outlining the measures required for their safe return to the community. In this plan the types of programs and services required are also outlined, including the need for accommodation.
Restrictions of his parole include the conditions that he does not consume alcohol or drugs, follows his treatment plan, not use pornography, stay away from any college or university campus, avoid his victims, and respect curfew. He also must not pick up or drive any female passengers in a car or use computers or the internet.
With files from Rumina Daya.
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