Lethbridge MP Rachael Harder would like to see stronger restrictions put in place for offenders and stronger laws to prosecute them.
Another random attack in Lethbridge has left many feeling rattled and unsafe. Darral Courtoreille, 59, is accused of breaking into a family’s home and sexually assaulting a complete stranger.
Ten years ago, he was placed on the high-risk offenders list.
“High-risk offender is a designation given by the government or police when they do risk assessment of an individual who is being released into the community,” criminal defence lawyer Andrea Urquhart said. “It’s a designation not imposed by the court.”
Courtoreille no longer appears on the Alberta Justice website for high risk offenders. Urquhart says names are removed from the database if a number of criteria are met, including if they are released into the community and remain crime-free for a year or longer or if they’re incarcerated for two years.
“This offender was living in a neighbourhood here in Lethbridge and warnings was given to the public that he is living there,” Lethbridge MP Rachael Harder said. “The question should be: is that enough?”
Harder wants to see more done to prevent anyone convicted of a crime from becoming a repeat offender.
READ MORE: Man accused of sexually assaulting 15-year-old Lethbridge girl appears in court
“I would like to see strong restrictions put in place in regards to offenders and stronger laws in place in prosecution of offenders… I’d like to see greater measures put in place to support victims and their families,” Harder said.
If found guilty, Courtoreille could be facing a dangerous offender status, which is a designation imposed by the judge and could result in jail time indefinitely, but that decision is left to the courts.
Dangerous offender legislation is directed at all forms of violence. A Public Safety Canada survey found that over 90 per cent of dangerous offenders are sex offenders.
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