Defence expert says Kugluktuk sex offender at 'considerable risk' to reoffend
The Crown wants Noel Avadluk, 44, to be declared a dangerous offender
A man from Kugluktuk, Nunavut, who has more than 40 convictions under his belt and has been deemed a borderline psychopath, could be declared a dangerous offender.
The defence for Noel Avadluk presented its case in N.W.T. Supreme Court last week. The Crown has applied to have Avadluk, 44, declared a dangerous or long-term offender. A dangerous offender status would mean that he would be jailed indefinitely.
Avadluk has been convicted of multiple counts of break and enter, theft and for violent sexual assaults in Yellowknife in 2012 and Hay River in 2007.
An expert for the defence agreed that he is a high risk to commit more sex crimes.
Dr. Marc Nesca, an expert in forensic psychology, was hired to give a second opinion about how dangerous Avadluk is. Nesca interviewed him in May 2016 and reviewed about 2,000 pages of Crown disclosure, including jail records.
According to Nesca's report, Avadluk has a history of chaotic, violent relationships, was sexually abused as a child and started drinking at age 12 — the same age as his first conviction.
By the mid-2000s, Avadluk was displaying bizarre behavior in jail, with a number of reports noting paranoia and hallucinations. He was concerned inmates and staff were plotting against him.
'Inadequate' treatment in jail
"Mr. Avadluk's treatment history is inadequate," Nesca also said in the report, noting that he needs specific sex offender intervention.
"His victim pool includes strangers, acquaintances, adult males, adult females… romantic partners are prominently featured in this victim pool.
"In his current state, Mr. Avadluk poses a considerable risk for sexual recidivism."
Nesca said Avadluk denies responsibility for the violent sexual assault five years ago that triggered the dangerous offender hearing, saying he's "inclined to view himself as a victim."
"I didn't force anything on her," the report quotes Avadluk saying about the 56-year-old woman he raped.
"I think she [went to police] because she found out I was fooling around with three other girls and they were all younger than her."
Nesca did say, however, that Avadluk's danger to the community could be manageable, if he successfully completes sex offender treatment and if he remains in prison until his mid- to late-50s.
Closing arguments in the dangerous offender hearing is set to take place on July 18.
With files from Richard Gleeson