Not long before the end of his previously-imposed federal sentence, the Correctional Service of Canada recommended Andrew Downing’s statutory release be revoked.
Article content
An already once-convicted Regina sex offender, currently facing more charges related to child pornography, has a history of breaching release conditions.
That’s according to Parole Board of Canada (PBC) documents obtained by the Leader-Post, which state the Correctional Service of Canada still had concerns about Andrew John Downing not long before the end of his last sentence.
Advertisement 2
Article content
Downing was charged earlier this month with accessing, possessing, and making available child pornography, as well as for breaching a prohibition order.
As previously reported, he was handed a five-year prison sentence in 2019 after pleading guilty to six charges, including sexual assault, sexual interference and possession of child pornography. The abuse offences were committed against boys between the ages of 12 and 17. They involved Downing touching two boys in a sexual manner and performing sex acts on another, in addition to taking photographs of him changing or working out.
After credit for time served on remand, he was left with roughly three years and nine months left on that sentence.
The PBC documents indicate that he was granted day parole in June of 2020, which meant he was released from prison but was to live at a facility supervised by the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC).
His day parole was extended in December of 2020, but with a warning.
“While the Board does see you are making some progress, your thinking has yet to come to the realization that your offending behaviours are considered very serious and harmful to young boys,” states the PBC decision, which also refers to “incidents” since he was released.
Headline News
Article content
Advertisement 3
Article content
While there was nothing to prove he’d accessed pornography, the board was concerned as it found him “very aware” of devices that could access the internet.
The incidents included use of video game consoles, though without proof he’d used them to access the internet. The PBC decision notes that he also requested to use an old cellphone, on which a photograph of a penis was discovered.
“You claim it was of a lover who was killed and that you had forgotten you had the picture. It was confirmed that he was killed but also that at the time of your relationship with him, he was barely of legal age,” the PBC decision states.
It also noted that Downing had demonstrated “deceitful behaviours” and provided “conflicting information” with his case management team.
The PBC decision reminded Downing that he was “currently walking a fine line” with regard to his behaviour and need for ongoing counselling.
He received a statutory release in October of 2021, during which he had to comply with certain conditions and remained under supervision.
However, in summer of 2022, he had several run-ins with his parole officer involving multiple infractions. In June of that year, it was determined his breached conditions included having access to the internet. In August of that year, he was again found breaching the internet condition.
Advertisement 4
Article content
Downing’s release was suspended, and he was taken back into custody.
A parole board document from Nov. 24, 2022 indicates that the CSC was opposed to Downing being released again, and recommended that his statutory release be revoked.
“Your case management team indicates you appear to work well with them, but are actually not abiding by the conditions that manage your risk,” the document states.
“Further, when confronted about your breaches, you appear to take responsibility, but your parole officer believes this is a form of manipulation to get what you want, as you quickly return to your behaviour of not abiding by the special conditions.”
However, the PBC did not follow the recommendation of the CSC, choosing to instead cancel the suspension (allowing Downing to go back on release), and reprimand him.
The decision states the board did not ignore that Downing wasn’t directly honest about some of his actions. It also states the board did not ignore the impact to the victims of his offences.
“However, you did turn yourself in as directed,” the decision reads, “and although you were not abiding by some of the conditions or direction of your parole supervisor, the Board finds that your risk in the community did not elevate to an unmanageable level and that your return to the institution has served as a deterrent for further negative behaviours.”
Downing completed his previous sentence on Jan. 19, 2023.
The charges he currently faces have not been proven.
The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.
With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark leaderpost.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
Article content
