Convicted sex offender released from custody in B.C., expected to live in Winnipeg

Marinus Willemse is pictured in an image supplied by the Winnipeg Police Service.

A convicted sex offender who is considered high risk to re-offend has been released from custody in British Columbia and is expected to live in Winnipeg, according to police.

On Friday, the Winnipeg Police Service announced the release of 59-year-old Marinus Willemse—a convicted offender with a history of violent and sexual offences.

According to police, Willemse has served three federal penitentiary sentences and has been arrested within a month of every release.

Willemse’s offences include adduction of a person under 14 years of age, forcible confinement, assault with a weapon, and uttering threats.

Upon release, he is subject to a lifetime order that prohibits him from attending public parks, day care centres, schoolgrounds, playgrounds and swimming areas where someone under the age of 14 is present or can reasonably be expected to be present. He is also prohibited from seeking, obtaining or continuing employment in a role that involves being in a position of trust or authority towards a person under the age of 14.

Willemse has participated in some treatment in the past but is considered high risk to re-offend in a sexual or sexually violent manner. Woman and all children, both male and female, are at risk.

Police note they are providing this information so community members can take suitable measures to protect themselves. Any type of vigilante or unreasonable conduct against Willemse won’t be tolerated.