A long-term offender hearing continued for a Saskatoon man convicted of 20 sexual assault and child pornography charges stemming from incidents that took place between 1997 and 2008.
On Thursday, court heard from a forensic psychiatrist who painted a picture of Russell Wolfe‘s mental state.
Dr. Shabrehram Lohrasbe interviewed Wolfe in July 2017; Lohrasbe, who testified via video from Victoria, B.C., was the lone testimony at the hearing to determine if Wolfe should be designated a long-term offender.
Lohrasbe told court he had a tough time getting a sense of who Wolfe is, calling him “fragile” and “emotionally not well put together.”
He described Wolfe as highly intelligent, but not very introspective. Lohrasbe doesn’t believe Wolfe has a severe mental disorder, but he said Wolfe is an anxious man who doesn’t think much about his victims. He added that while Wolfe tries to accept responsibility for his actions, he is intimidated by the enormity of his offences.
Wolfe, 59, was originally arrested in 2014 during a Canada-wide operation that targeted sex offenders. There were 14 victims in relation to Wolfe’s case; the youngest was nine years old. Wolfe pleaded guilty last March to 20 sexual assault and child pornography charges.
Wolfe’s pedophilia can’t be cured, according to Lohrasbe, but high intensity treatment would focus on control and risk management.
- Gas station clerk stabbed several times during violent attack at Ultramar in Montreal
- Canada’s most wanted list: Toronto suspect in fatal shooting at No. 1
- Man acquitted in Tina Fontaine murder found dead, says her aunt
- Canadians should expect politicians to support right to bail, Virani’s office says
Lohrasbe said there was hope for Wolfe. He believes Wolfe’s risk to reoffend is low due to his age, intelligence, and his release conditions if he is declared a long-term offender. He also noted Wolfe’s attachment to his sons, which would give him motivation and something to look forward to while completing his sentence and high-intensity programming; if he chooses to participate.
Lohrasbe said the biggest key for success in managing Wolfe’s risk to reoffend is buying into the process.
Wolfe was in the courtroom for Thursday’s testimony.
Court has been adjourned until July 5, when final arguments and a joint submission are expected to be heard.
The Crown and defence are recommending a long-term offender designation; they’re arguing Wolfe should be sentenced to 10 years, with a 10-year supervision order when he is released.
Comments