LOCALLY OW
NED & OPER
Sauna malfunction causes pool evacuation
ATED
ALBERNI
Alberni Region, Page 3
TOWING 24 H O U R
TWIN TRAVEL & CRUISES
SERVICE
• ICBC Towing • Flat Deck Servic • Lock Outs • Ju e mp Starts • Full Service Storage We buy scrap ca rs, trucks,
Competitive Prices comes with Prot Protection
heavy trucks &
machinery
250-724-405
Redeem your RBC Points with us
0
2490 Timberlane R
d.
4766 Johnston Rd., Port Alberni
New mobile frie
nd
albernitowinlygw.cebsite! om
250-724-6501 BCREG 3144
Serving the Alberni Valley
www.avtimes.net
Thursday Thursday, April 9, 9 2015
CRIME
‘Predatory’ Alberni offender re-released Seward residing in Nanaimo after breaching court conditions, jailed for wave of sex assaults in 2009 ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Despite breaking court conditions on the same day of his release from prison, the man deemed responsible for several sexual assaults in Port Alberni six years ago is back out on the street. John Seward was released from custody in Nanaimo Tuesday after an arrest last week in the harbour city for breaking one of several court-ordered conditions. On April 2 authorities received a report of Seward being in a public park – one of many locations the 27-yearold is barred from, which also include swimming areas, daycare centres, schools, playgrounds, liquor stores, and bars. Seward is also prohibited from consuming alcohol, possessing weapons or being alone with anyone under 16. Seward was fresh out of
“Seward has maintained a pattern of predatory and opportunistic, violent sexual offending.” B.C. Ministry of Justice, public notice
prison on the day of the alleged park incident last week, having served over 5 years after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual assault with a weapon. For these convictions he will be on the National Sex Offender Registry for 20 years. The public does not have access to this list of dangerous offenders and privacy laws prevent his whereabouts from being announced, but measures are in place to protect the community from the offender, said BC Corrections spokesperson
Amy Lapsley. “Mr. Seward has decided to reside in Nanaimo,” she stated in an email to the Times. “I assure you BC Corrections, police and out partner agencies will work together closely to monitor him to ensure he abides by his court-ordered conditions.” On April 2 and Tuesday of this week the B.C. Ministry of Justice released public notifications announcing that Seward would no longer be behind bars. These notices contain a photograph and description of the multiple offender, encouraging members of the public to report any violations of Seward’s many conditions. “Seward has maintained a pattern of predatory and opportunistic, violent sexual offending,” read the most recent public notice. “Women ages 15–55 are at risk.” Although the convicted man
SEWARD
has the legal right to be among the public, the severity of his past offences warrants monitoring from various governmental agencies. Different degrees of attention are given to dangerous offenders upon their release, stated Lapsley. “Depending on the risk level of offenders in the commun-
ity, various types of co-ordinated supervision strategies are used, such as home visits, monitoring and curfews, to ensure offenders are meeting their court-ordered conditions,” she said. “The higher the risk, the higher the focus is on their supervision.” The public concern comes from a wave of sexual assaults Seward was linked to that occurred from April to September 2009 in Port Alberni. An RCMP manhunt concluded with his arrest on Sept. 30, 2009 in Rogers Creek Park – the location of one of the violent incidents that occurred just two days earlier. During interviews before his trial Seward confessed to seven sexual assaults, although the victims in just five incidents were identified to substantiate convictions. EPlummer@avtimes.net 250-723-8171
COMMUNITY
Port Alberni Sea Cadet Corp recognizes Salvation Army Major for work support KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Acquittals for Krush juice bar robbery Tara Miller was acquitted of all counts tied to the July 9 incident except attempted robbery. » Alberni Region, A3
Alberni artist ready to share work on tour Connie Watts will display her art for the Community Art Council’s Days with the Arts tour later this month. » Valley Faces, A5
» Use your smartphone to jump to our Facebook page for updates on these stories or the latest breaking news.
L
ast week recognition was given by Port Alberni’s Sea Cadet Corp with a visit from two members of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC). Major Bruce Mac Kenzie of the Salvation Army was presented an award for his support of employee and Capt. John Cloke. Cloke has been able to take time away from work in order to train cadets at Alberni Head Cadet Summer Training Centre for the past three years. Cloke said that without his employer’s support, he would not be able to commit to the work he does for and with youth. “The work I do with Cadets is extremely important to me,” Cloke said. After full-time service in both the Army and the Royal Canadian Navy in my 20s, I wanted to be able to continue to serve in uniform and contribute to my community. Working with cadets has allowed me do both of these.” He said the summers spent at the Air Cadet camps allow him to see further growth of cadets after working with them through the school year. Cloke was also able to attend a training writing board in Ottawa in 2013 and small craft operators course in Comox last year. At the first course, he helped rewrite the content used by cadets at weekly Parade Nights in Port Alberni and at all cadet units on other nights. “I was able to share the experiences that I have gained in the
Capt. John Cloke, Maj. Bruce Mac Kenzie, Dr. Skipp Tripplett. Capt. Cloke is employed at the Salvation Army (day job) where Maj. Bruce MacKenzie and his three employees allow Capt. Cloke to take 2 1/2 months of cadet leave to work with the Canadian Forces. Capt. Cloke will attend 14 summer camps this year where he oversees 300 cadets and staff as the Wing Training Officer. Dr Tripplett is Director of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council. [SUBMITTED PHOTO]
“The work I do with Cadets is extremely important to me.” Capt. John Cloke, Port Alberni Sea Cadets
cadet program during the training year and at summer camps while creating fun and impactful lessons that will help shape the next generation of Canadian Leaders,” he said. “At the SCOP course I learned how to instruct
potential boating instructors in the safe operation of small power crafts. I’ve been able to bring these skills back to Port Alberni cadets.” Mac Kenzie was presented with the employer recognition award by Dr. Skipp Triplett, a former Armoured Military Officer and former president of Kwantlen College, as well as Lieut-Colonel Don Stedeford, former Commanding Officer of The Canadian Scottish Regiment. Two members of the corps also
received promotions. Meighan Hygaard was promoted to the rank of Sub-Lieutenant and Kennedy O’Donovan to Chief Petty Officer. The cadet corps is actively recruiting and meets each Thursday evening at the Port Alberni Cadet Youth Centre. For more information, interested cadets are encouraged to show up or call Cloke at 250-730-0944 or John. Cloke@cadets.gc.ca. KDobson@avtimes.net
Inside today Alberni Region 3A What’s On 4A
Community 5A Opinion 6A
ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES VOLUME 66, NUMBER 68
Start to finish at
Sports 7A Scoreboard 8A
Entertainment 9A Drive 1B
Our Town 3B Classifieds 5B
$1.25 newsstand (GST incl.)
QUIKRETE ZIP & MIX REPAIR MORTAR QUIKRETE® Zip & Mix is a multi-purpose repair mortar uniquely packaged to allow the product to be mixed in its pouch, eliminating the need for a pail. It is a fast-setting, polymer modified repair mortar is specifically formulated to make structural repairs to any concrete, masonry or stucco surface.
8
19 EACH
Prices in effect until April 16th, 2015 or while stock lasts! Cash & Carry only on sale prices!
Windsor Plywood • 4740 Tebo Ave • Port Alberni • Ph: 250-724-5751 • Fax: 250-724-3325