Surrey RCMP is notifying the public of Howard Geddes-Skelding, a “dangerous sex offender who poses a high risk to re-offend,” has been released from BC Corrections and is living in Surrey.
Geddes-Skelding, 28, was released from BC Corrections in the Lower Mainland on Friday (Aug. 14), and is now living in Surrey, according to a release from Surrey RCMP.
He is described at 5’5″, 150 lbs., with brown eyes and brown hair.
Police say he has been convicted of “a number of offences,” including sexual assault, sexual interference, robbery and possession of a weapon.
Geddes-Skelding, according to RCMP, is “considered to be at risk of committing offences against women and is known to approach women while exposing his penis or masturbating and then sexually assaulting them.”
Since he is “a high risk to re-offend,” the release states, Geddes-Skelding is subject to probation and release orders where he must abide by court-ordered condition that include, in part:
• keeping peace and good behaviour;
• not possessing any weapons, such as firearms, imitation firearms, ammunition and explosives, except for knives “to be used only for the preparation and consumption of meals or in the course of employment”;
• not using or having any alcohol or drugs, unless with a valid medical prescription
Geddes-Skelding is also under house arrest seven days a week, according to the release. He must be in the house or on its lot, but he can be away from the residence with prior written permission from his bail supervisor.
RCMP added that he will also have an electronic supervision agreement.
Surrey RCMP say it is working closely with BC Corrections Community Corrections Division “to manage the risk posed to the community” by Geddes-Skelding, which will include “overt checks and monitoring to ensure he is abiding by his conditions.”
If he doesn’t comply with the conditions, police said, it will “result in his immediate arrest.”
If people see any suspicious behavior including, but not limited to a breach of these conditions, Surrey RCMP say to not approach Geddes-Skelding, but contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or call 911.
Meantime, Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum said Geddes-Skelding’s release “into a city where a quarter of our population is under the age of 19 shows the deep flaws inherent in our justice system.”
“I cannot fathom how the needs of an individual can outweigh the needs of the many, in this case the safety of the women and children who live in Surrey,” McCallum said in an emailed statement.
“As I have said before, the release of a dangerous sexual predator that is deemed a high risk to re-offend into a city that is well known for its growing population of young families is irresponsible and reprehensible.
It’s not the first time McCallum, or other Surrey mayors, have spoken out against sex offenders with a high-risk to re-offend being released into the city.
READ ALSO: For Surrey mayors, voicing outrage over paroled convicts is a rite of passage, Jan. 14, 2020
In May, Surrey RCMP also warned of another “dangerous sex offender,” with a “high risk to re-offend,” being released into the city.
Kristjon Otto Olson, 38, has been convicted of “sexual offences against minors,” including sexual interference, sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching and offences related to child pornography, according to police.
READ ALSO: Police warn of sex offender, who poses ‘high risk to re-offend,’ released into Surrey, May 22, 2020
READ ALSO: McCallum says ‘Marpole Rapist’ release into Surrey ‘not only disturbing but infuriating’, Jan. 10, 2020
OUR VIEW: Surrey residents have right to know about rapist in their midst, Jan. 10, 2020
Then in January, a relative of a victim of Gary Jagur Singh, also known as the “Marpole Rapist,” told the Now-Leader he would be release on day parole into a halfway house in Surrey.
At the time, a Parole Board of Canada document reveals Singh, 64 has been granted day parole but denied full parole. He is serving an indeterminate sentence for four counts of sexual assault with a weapon, eight counts of break and enter with intent, three counts of robbery and seven counts of sexual assault.
On June 10, 1994 he was designated a dangerous offender.
READ ALSO: ‘Marpole Rapist’ to get day parole in Surrey, victim’s relative warns, Jan. 7, 2020
– With files from Tom Zytaruk
lauren.collins@surreynowleader.comLike us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram and follow Lauren on Twitter
