An application to have a decade's worth of restrictions removed was denied by a Nanaimo judge for 50-year-old Raymond Dewell, who spent time in prison for sex offences against two underage girls in 2018. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

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Editor’s note: This story contains graphic details which may disturb some readers. Discretion is advised.

NANAIMO — A convicted sex offender who spent over two years in jail for luring and sexually abusing two teenage girls was denied an easing of some post-release restrictions.

Former Nanaimo resident Raymond Dewell, 50, served two-and-a-half years behind bars and two years of probation after pleading guilty to a pair of assault charges and a child luring charge related to incidents in Nanaimo in 2018.

The investigation into Dewell started as the result of being caught in a Creep Catcher’s style video sting, where Dewell thought he was meeting a 13-year-old girl for sexual purposes, but instead was met by a 30-year-old man.

Dewell made an application in a Nanaimo Court on July 19 in front of Justice Karen Whonnock to revoke the ten years’ worth of restrictions put on him, now he’s completed his jail and probation sentence.

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Crown Council James Kulla said Dewell was “quite specific” when he invited what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl over to his house for sexual purposes.

The actions did not sit well with his roommates, who started a confrontation with Dewell, and called police.

“In a statement, he confessed to inviting what he believed was a 13-year-old for sex, admitted to having sex with a 15-year-old…the child in that case was spoken to, noted to be 14, and also her ten-year-old sister was spoken to, both females disclosed sexual assault at the hands of Mr. Dewell. The ten-year-old said, “forced sexual intercourse.”

The ten years’ worth of restrictions include staying away from community centres, daycares, parks and playgrounds, no contact with any persons under the age of 16, as well as remaining at least two kilometres away from the victims, complying with a DNA order, and restricted internet access.

In his application, Dewell wrote he wanted to use a cell phone with internet capability because it was required for his job.

He also wanted to be able to go to the gym, take his partner to the movies, attend appropriate meetings at community centres, and be allowed to go to parks which may have playgrounds in them, such as dog parks.

Justice Karen Whonnock said in her reasoning she gives Dewell credit for completing the necessary sex offender programs post-release, but he forfeited a number of privileges when he committed those crimes.

“Going to the gym or the movies, or going to a park even if it’s a park without a playground, these are all privileges in society, and the seriousness of the offences override any privileges.”

Dewell, who himself has a daughter, will appear on the National Sex Offender’s list for the rest of his life.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow