By Brent Bosker

Sex offender charged again stirs up emotions in community

May 18, 2011 | 6:33 AM

The town of Leoville is reacting with anger and concern after hearing about new allegations against a convicted sex-offender living in their community.

Norbert Leslie Dumais, 56, was arrested last week in the town located north Spiritwood after RCMP received complaints about possible drug trafficking. The investigation resulted in charges being laid, as well as allegations of sexual assault involving three victims.

“There have been concerns from people in the community and now with this latest development it’s definitely a kind of guy we don’t want to see around here anymore,” said Mayor Ron Crasswell.

In 2009, RCMP warned the public that the sex offender was at high risk to reoffend upon his release from prison. Dumais was released into the city of North Battleford and later relocated to Leoville where he had family.

His arrival in town left a lot of people feeling uneasy, said Crasswell.

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“We did speak to the RCMP about concerns regarding his past. They assured us they are closely monitoring him.”

There wasn’t much the community could do, he said.

Leslie Laventure, owner of Village Video and Snack Shop, said her three kids have been walking to school in massive groups ever since Dumais moved to town.

She was appalled that a man with this past could be allowed into their community.

“Everyone was really pissed off and angered that he could come into a community like this and be six houses from the school and nothing you can do about it.”

Not everyone shared Laventure’s view. A resident who lived across from Dumais said he was only slightly concerned.

The RCMP said they won’t comment on the recent allegations.

Dumais is being held in custody and will be back in court in North Battleford June 1.

See related: Sexual assault charges laid in Leoville

bbosker@panow.com