Ottawa police warn of conditional release of a dangerous criminal in the capital

Ottawa —
Ottawa police have warned residents about a high-risk offender in the capital, after granting him conditional daytime release under a strict supervision program.

The police said that Christopher Rollston, 46, has been released during the day and will reside in a supervised community facility in Ottawa, while being monitored by the Canadian Correctional Service in coordination with the city police.

Rollston is serving a life sentence with no fixed end date, after being convicted of three counts of sexual assault with a weapon and making threats, in crimes that occurred in Toronto in 2002.

The police consider him a significant risk to public safety, especially to women, due to his history of violent sexual assaults on strangers, and the possibility of violating release conditions or repeating criminal behavior.

The release conditions include prohibiting him from direct or indirect contact with the victims, and requiring him to immediately report any relationships or friendships with women or any changes in these relationships.

He is also prohibited from communicating or associating with anyone known or believed to be involved in criminal activity, and from purchasing, possessing, or consuming alcohol or drugs, except for prescribed medications or over-the-counter drugs according to instructions.

He is also forbidden from entering places primarily dependent on the sale or consumption of alcohol.

The police urged anyone who notices a breach of the release conditions not to approach him and to immediately contact Ottawa police.