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High-risk sex offender free – again

Jeffrey Goddard released after spending 275 days in jail for sex assault of handicapped inmate.
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Convicted sex offender Jeffrey Goddard is out of jail after being sentenced to time served (nine months) for a sexual assault at Surrey Pretrial Centre last year.

A repeat high-risk sex offender has been released on probation after sexually assaulting a mentally handicapped person in jail.

Jeffrey Goddard, 25, was charged last December of sexual assault following a complaint at Surrey Pretrial Centre, where he was being detained after breaching probation conditions related to a previous sex-related convictions.

He previously served a 20-month jail term for offences committed in 2010, including invitation to sexual touching, communicating via a computer to lure a child, impersonating a police officer and breaching bail conditions. Most of his prior crimes – which often involved luring teen boys – were committed in Abbotsford.

He was convicted of the prison sex assault in June and sentenced Thursday (Aug. 13) in Surrey Provincial Court.

Crown counsel Rhian Opel told the court Goddard befriended a 19-year-old in jail, who had "mild retardation, FASD (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder)" and attention deficit.

Goddard told him he could get him a job on his release and that his mom was giving him a $150 prepaid phone voucher.

The young man invited Goddard to apply for a move so he could share a cell with him. It was some time after that the victim was sexually assaulted by Goddard.

The victim reported it to a female guard the next day and the cellmates were separated.

The victim later received two letters of apology from Goddard, Opel said.

Crown recommended for a sentence of nine months, plus three years probation for the latest offence.

Goddard's lawyer, Brian Coleman, said his client had a troubled upbringing, but now has healthy support from his father and 31-year-old sister.

"He's closest to his mother," Coleman said, but added relocating with her "may not be in his best interest."

Because his client had been in custody awaiting trial for 275 days, he has completed the nine months Crown was asking for, Coleman pointed out.

Noting Goddard is at a high risk of reoffending, Judge Andrea Brownstone agreed with the nine month sentence, which he's already served.

She also agreed to the three-year probation order that includes several restrictions including a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, no associating with persons under 18 years old, no going in public parks with swimming pools or near daycares or recreation centres.

Goddard is also not allowed to have access to computer equipment capable of accessing the internet, including cell phones or gaming consoles.

Hours after he was released, B.C. Corrections sent out a warning that, Goddard, "a high-risk sex offender," planned to live in Vancouver.