Why was high-risk sex offender not given harsher sentence, advocate asks
Posted November 2, 2022 8:56 pm.
Last Updated November 2, 2022 11:12 pm.
The head of the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton says she was “angry” when she found out a violent sexual offender who was released by police last week had been arrested just days later.
Mary Jane James says Alexandre Passechnikov, 37, is a threat to society.
“How many warnings do we need before we clearly realize that this person is very likely to reoffend?” said James. “And we are putting our public at risk by having him out and about, even with the strictest of conditions.”
Passechnikov was released from jail on Oct. 24, at which point Edmonton police issued a warning to the public, indicating he was living in Edmonton.
Edmonton Police issue public warning about a convicted violent sexual offender in the city.
They say they have reasonable grounds to believe 37-year-old Alexandre Passechnikov will commit another violent offence. #Yeg #Yegcc pic.twitter.com/KURsbsuMkz
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) October 24, 2022
Police say he was arrested three days later and charged with assault, choking, forcible confinement, and three breaches of his peace bond.
Police say Passechnikov assaulted a woman who went into the rooming house where he was living. The accused was being closely monitored by police, and was arrested shortly after the incident.
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Passechnikov is considered a high-risk offender. He has faced multiple convictions, including sexual assault, choking, theft, possession of property obtained by crime, failing to comply with a probation order, robbery, forcible confinement, break and enter, uttering threats, mischief, and obstructing a peace officer.
“They sentenced him, you would think they would have given him a harsher sentence behind bars until he was ready to reintegrate in society without causing harm,” said James. “Clearly whatever time it was, wasn’t enough. And there may never be enough time.
“This individual may never be capable and able of living in a communal society without perpetrating harm.”
‘Legally had to be released’
Criminal defence lawyer Danielle Boisvert says the criminal justice system is designed to give offenders other chances.
“He legally had to be released,” said Boisvert. “It is unfortunate that we have some offenders, usually a very small proportion of offenders, that are this high-risk of recidivism.”
Passechnikov has been remanded. He is expected in court on Friday.
