Newfoundland police issue public advisory for Barry Sinclair a.k.a. the ‘Sleepwatcher’

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) has issued a public advisory regarding Barry Edward Sinclair who is better known as the ‘Sleepwatcher’ as they believe that he is likely to commit a serious crime against a woman in the St. John’s area.

Sinclair was sentenced to five years in prison in 2013 for breaking into a woman’s house in Nova Scotia while she was in the residence

In February 2017, he was released from custody which resulted in the RNC filing an application to have Sinclair placed under a recognizance under the Criminal Code of Canada.

According to the RNC, the goal of the recognizance is “preventative in nature and is meant to restrict the movements and behaviour of an individual.”

READ MORE: ‘Sleepwatcher’ released from prison, will reside in community

Police say a warrant for Sinclair’s arrest was issued in February 2017 where he was transported to Provincial Court in St. John’s for a hearing where he was placed on a court order prior to being released from custody.

Police say the court order, which is meant to ensure public safety, will remain in effect until the constabulary’s application for the recognizance has concluded.

The RNC is now asking that the public ensure that their windows and doors are locked and that their homes have adequate exterior lighting.

READ MORE: So-called ‘Sleepwatcher’ will not be living in Halifax after conditional release

History of Barry Sinclair

Sinclair has a lengthy criminal history, dating back 30 years. He has prior convictions for break and enter, sexual assault, indecent exposure and trespassing at night.

Parole documents obtained by Global News say most of Sinclair’s crimes are a continuation of “sexually motivated offences,” which date back to 1980, and consist of him entering homes of randomly selected females that are believed to be alone or single.

The documents also state Sinclair began “sexually deviant behaviour” as a young teenager.

The Parole Board of Canada believes Sinclair is a moderate risk to re-offend in general and a high risk to re-offend in a sexual manner given the lack of progress in his correctional plan.

— With files from Natasha Pace