High-risk sex offender expected to live in Winnipeg

A strong warning to all women in Winnipeg that a high-risk sex offender is being released from behind bars.

The Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit sent out the warning Friday that Winston George Thomas, 40,  was released from custody Thursday and expected to live in Winnipeg.

Thomas is a convicted sex offender and “is considered high risk to re‑offend in a sexual and/or sexually violent manner against all females, both adults and children.”

Thomas had served nine months Headingley Correctional Centre for breach of probation and has a long history of sex offences, including convictions for sexual assault, break-and-enter, aggravated assault, assaulting a peace officer and breach of probation. 

Thomas’ sexual assault conviction in 2008 involved a 13-year-old girl.

He served 14 months in 2003, in addition to five months pre-sentence custody, for a conviction of breaking into a woman’s home and sexually assaulting her. 

The community notification regarding Thomas’s release is to provide sufficient information to the public to allow them to take suitable measures to protect themselves.

“While incarcerated, Thomas participated in some sex offender programming but is still considered high-risk to re-offend in a sexual and/or sexually violent manner against all females, both adults and children,” the release said.

Thomas will be under a supervised probation order until 2019 with the following conditions:

• prohibit the consumption of alcohol, non-prescription drugs, other intoxicants, hairspray, gas or glue;
• impose a curfew of 11:00 pm – 7:00 am and require compliance with curfew checks;
• require that he attend, participate and complete all assessments, treatments, programming and counselling as directed by probation officer; and
• prohibit owning, possession or carrying a weapon

MIHRSOU suggests anyone with information about Thomas contact them at 204-984-1888, Winnipeg police at 204-986-6222, a local RCMP detachment, or Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477, toll free at 1-800-222-8477.