Issuu

Friday, April 19, 2019 | Your community newspaper since 1916

CITIZEN PHOTO BY JAMES DOYLE

Hero’s welcome Prince George Spruce Kings forward Chong Min Lee raises the Fred Page Cup over his head on Thursday evening at Rolling MIx Concrete Arena after the Spruce Kings arrived home after defeating the Vernon Vipers on Wednesday night to claim their first BCHL championship.

Kidnapping ringleader Man who sexually assaulted teen declared denied parole Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff mnielsen@pgcitizen.ca A man serving a prison sentence for leading an assault, kidnapping and extortion of an elderly man will remain behind bars for the time being after his bid for release on parole was denied. Wayne Victor Willier, 40, is serving five years, four months and 17 days for putting the 67-year-old victim through a near three-day ordeal in February 2014 in Prince George. An unjustified accusation that the man was a pedophile was used as the excuse for the attack. Leading as many as eight people, Willier repeatedly hit the man in the head, pointed a pistol at his face and took his keys, cellphone and bank card from him, according to both court findings and a Parole Board of Canada decision. The victim was also forced to provide the personal identification number for his bank card and because his pension cheque had been deposited, they were able to withdraw about $500 from the man’s account and make some purchases using his bank card adding up to a further $300. He was held in a room for about 30 hours before escaping and came out with bruising severe enough to swell his eyes shut as well as a fractured nose. He suffered from headaches in the weeks that followed. The court heard he had pointed a pellet gun at the man, but according to the parole board decision Willier said he used a 9 mm handgun and refused to say where he got the weapon.

Today’s Weather Hi +6° Low -5°

LOCAL HOROSCOPE NEWS OPINION MONEY

Sentenced in January 2016, Willier was transferred to a maximum security institute in April 2018 after assaulting another inmate. Other than to say the other inmate entered his cell, Willier refused to discuss what precipitated the conflict when asked during a hearing before a parole board panel. Willier “seemed incredulous” when asked who won, and said he did, according to the decision. “The Board finds your attitude and demeanour in discussing this incident suggested that you continue to endorse violence as a means of solving problems you encounter,” the panel said in the decision. “The Board is also concerned about your willingness to use violence within the highly supervised and structured environment of the institution.” While Willier’s behaviour has improved since he was returned to a medium security institute about three months ago, the panel found that the change was very recent and that he has limited insight into his violent offending. “The Board has also placed weight on the professional psychological opinion that you are at a very high risk to cause serious harm or death to another person before the end of your sentence and any release at this time would result in significant risk to the public,” the panel said. “Finally, you do not have a viable release plan and the Board finds there is no supervision plan that would adequately protect the public.” The full decision, issued April 10, is posted with this story at www.pgcitizen.ca.

1-3 2 4-5,7 6 8

SPORTS A&E COMICS CROSSWORD CLASSIFIEDS

9-11 14-15 15 15 17-20

dangerous offender Mark NIELSEN Citizen staff A man with a history of committing violent and sexual offences was declared a dangerous offender and sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison. Russell Amos, 33, will also be subject to a 10-year long-term supervision order upon completion of his sentence and must spend at least five years in custody before he can apply for parole. Amos has committed most of his lengthy list of crimes in the Victoria area but the final straw occurred in Prince George in 2015 when he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. She and a friend, both described by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Marguerite Church as vulnerable youth who were living in group homes, had agreed to travel with Amos from the Fraser Valley to Prince George in a stolen car. While on the way to the city and over the next several days, Amos supplied the girl with cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, which she had never previously used. After about four days, Amos attempted to force sex on her while the two were in the vehicle. The girl felt “scared and overwhelmed” while worried Amos had a weapon and would become violent and angry. The attack ended when Amos thought police were following them and drove back to where they had been staying.

Mueller report released NEWS 7

See page 2 for more details and short-term forecasts

www.pgcitizen.ca

In reaching her judgment, Church endorsed a joint submission from Crown and defence counsels. Over about a day-and-ahalf, Church heard submissions regarding Amos’ criminal history and psychological state. Amos’ has spent most of his adult life in custody for an array of crimes and is currently serving a five-year sentence for a string of robberies committed in 2015 on Vancouver Island. His record also includes three previous sexual offences including one against a woman he met at a bus stop after she had left a session of counselling at a sexual assault centre. One judge commented that he showed “markings of predatory behaviour.” Amos has also had an extensive history of drug and alcohol abuse and a refusal to accept help. The sexual assault in Prince George occurred 18 months after he had completed a treatment program, it was noted. According to a psychological assessment, Amos continues to show a high risk for violence and sexual violence that is driven by a wide range of risk factors. Amos has lately shown a willingness to take treatment and there has been some evidence of progress but more work is needed, the court heard. Amos was also issued a lifetime firearms ban and will be on the national sexual offender registry for 20 years.

Newsstand $2.00 incl. tax Home Delivered 95¢/day

58307

00200