Toronto police warned the public that a sex offender who was released from prison Thursday has a high risk of assaulting again.
The sex crimes unit said in a statement that Clarence Dean, 68, has a long criminal history of sexual offences against young boys and, despite previous sex−offender treatment, has continued to commit crimes.
Dean was released after serving a three-year sentence for sexual assault and sexual interference. He was arrested in 2003 and charged with several sex offences against two young boys.
Police said Dean was a close friend of the family of one of the boys and was able to get himself into a position where he was viewed as a grandfather figure and was referred to as "Uncle Art".
Dean regularly took the boys on outings in the community, bought them treats and had them staying at his apartment on weekends. Before the offences he gave the young boys sleeping pills so they'd comply. The assaults began when the boys were six and continued until they were 13.
Police said that Dean has a history of befriending young boys by taking them on outings, buying them things or giving them money, which usually culminated in sexual offences.
Dean is under a judicial restraint order, so he's subject to following conditions while in the community:
- Reporting weekly to police;
- No contact with his prior victims;
- Not to attend a public park, public swimming area or community centre where persons who are under the age of 18 are present or can reasonably be expected to be present, or a day-care centre, school ground, playground or arcade;
- Not to be in the company of, or engage in any activity with, or communicate with, any child or young person under the age of 18 years;
- Not to be with any person known by him to be involved in criminal activity.
