Ottawa police warn of high-risk offender living in Rideau-Vanier area

Community members in the Rideau-Vanier area say they were caught off guard by the release of high-risk offender. CTV’s Katie Griffin reports.

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is warning the public that a man who has been deemed a high-risk offender since 2015 is now living in the Rideau-Vanier area.

Christopher Watts, 64, was convicted in 2003 of manslaughter, sexual assault and sexual interference in the death of a teen in at his southern Ontario home in 2001. He was sentenced to 12 years in jail, followed by a 10-year Long Term Supervision Order, which began in 2015.

“The OPS believes that Watts poses a risk to the community, particularly women, including those under 18 years of age,” police said in a news release on Wednesday. “The OPS’s High-Risk Offender Management Unit deemed Watts poses a high risk of reoffending or breaching his terms. Watts will be monitored by the Correctional Services of Canada and the OPS High-Risk Offender Management Unit.”

Watts has been in and out of prison after multiple breaches of his release conditions and became eligible for statutory release this month.

Police say he must abide by a Long-Term Supervision Order and a probation order with several conditions, including:

• not being within 50 metres of places where children under the age of 18 are likely to congregate, such as elementary and secondary schools, parks, swimming pools and recreational centres, unless accompanied by an adult previously approved in writing by his parole supervisor;
• not being in the presence of any female children under the age of 18 unless supervised by a responsible adult who knows his criminal history and has been previously approved in writing by his parole supervisor;
• not consuming, purchasing or possessing drugs other than prescribed medication taken as prescribed and over-the-counter drugs taken as recommended by the manufacturer; and
• not consuming, possessing or purchasing alcohol.

Watts gave 13-year-old Amanda Raymond drugs at his Puslinch Lake home in 2001, which put her in a coma. He then sexually assaulted her. She later died at the scene. He was convicted twice of breaching conditions, both of which involved interactions with girls under 18.

The Lowertown Community Association said it’s grateful Ottawa Police put out the warning and is focused on spreading awareness.

“So we’re making sure that we inform the community through our social media platforms and at meetings, etc...,” said president Sylvie Bigras.

“Obviously we know that there is significant social disorder in Lowertown and the ByWard Market. We’re working to address that with a number of partners. Having said that, there is concern and having someone who’s been released into our community who is considered a dangerous offender obviously will add to those concerns.”

Ottawa police say anyone who is aware of potential breaches to Watt’s conditions should not approach him, and instead contact the Ottawa Police Service High-Risk Offender Management Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 4395, by email at [e-mail] or call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.

--With files from CTV News Kitchener’s Krista Simpson and CTV News Ottawa’s Katie Griffin