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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
High-risk child-sex offender back in jail
A high-risk Winnipeg sex offender has admitted to repeatedly breaching conditions of his strict community release meant to protect the public.
Rolf Uwe Guenther, 47, pleaded guilty Friday to violating terms of the rare 10-year "long-term offender" designation placed on him. Specifically, Guenther was caught with marijuana in his system on several occasions.
He was arrested in March and has been in custody ever since. Provincial court Judge John Guy sentenced Guenther Friday to another 41/2 months behind bars, rejecting his lawyer's request for time already served in custody. On paper, it's a total nine-month sentence.
Guenther claims he resorted to drug use to deal with chronic migraines, anxiety and depression. He was caught breaching probation at least twice last year when probation officials elected not to pursue charges, court was told. But Guenther was finally arrested after he ignored repeated warnings to stop.
Guenther last made the news in 2007 when experts told a Winnipeg court he was likely to target more child victims unless he underwent a radical medical procedure to curb his urges. He was sentenced to two more years behind bars, in addition to the equivalent of 51/2 years of pretrial custody, for attacks on young boys in his Elmwood neighbourhood.
Guenther already had two prior sex-assault convictions and was on probation when he lured the victims, ages 8 to 12, into his home with the promise of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. He showed them images of child pornography to "groom" them before sexually assaulting them.
Guenther served his entire custodial sentence and was released from prison in 2009. Police and probation officials have been keeping close tabs on him under terms of the long-term probation order. He can be jailed indefinitely for any breach. He must stay away from children, continue counselling and treatment, and abstain from alcohol and drugs.
Crown attorney Cindy Sholdice said Friday there have been troubling red flags in recent years, including Guenther being caught looking at videos of young boys in bathing suits. Those images didn't meet the definition of child pornography or result in charges.
A doctor told court five years ago Guenther remained a significant risk to reoffend. He suggested chemical castration, which involves controlling sexual urges through medication. However, it is voluntary and can't be ordered by the courts.
www.mikeoncrime.com
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 11, 2012 B4
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