By Thia James

Convicted kidnapper out on statutory release with new conditions

Aug 16, 2013 | 6:55 AM

A man convicted of kidnapping an 11-year-old Shellbrook girl in 2006 has been released on statutory release with new conditions.

The Parole Board of Canada released Linden David Jessie Bird on Aug. 9. He is now required to reside at either a community correctional centre, a community residential facility or other residential facility approved by the Correctional Service of Canada.

Bird will also be required to immediately report attempts to start intimate sexual and non-sexual friendships to his parole supervisor. He is prohibited from consuming, possessing or purchasing alcohol. He is also barred from consuming, purchasing and possessing drugs other than prescription and over-the-counter medication.

Bird is near the end of a seven-year sentence after pleading guilty to kidnapping, unlawful confinement, choking, breaking and entering, theft and unlawfully taking a vehicle. He is serving an additional two months and 30 days. During a previous statutory release, he was charged with – and later convicted of – mischief and failure to comply.

He was most recently released under the statutory release in April, with conditions that he not consume alcohol and drugs, as well as to report relationships. Less than a week later, his release was suspended after he was allegedly involved in a car chase with police and failed to stop when they tried to apprehend him. As a result, he is now facing new charges of dangerous operation of motor vehicle and flight from police.

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Bird was apprehended in another province, after a woman called police to report that he hit her, resulting in bruises and swelling to her face. At the time, he allegedly provided a false name to the police, according to the parole board’s assessment of the risk he poses to the community.

In a decision addressed directly to Bird, the parole board noted that this is the third suspension he has incurred while on conditional release during his sentence. His case management team noted that Bird “now present a moderate to high risk to re-offend.”

“It is also of the opinion that your case is no longer manageable in the community and therefore, recommends that your statutory release be revoked.”

The parole board revoked his existing conditions and imposed newer, more stringent ones.

In making its decision to revoke his existing conditions, the parole board noted Bird continues to demonstrate poor decision making and careless and reckless behaviours towards others. “Based on your behaviours since release, the Board is convinced you are unwilling to pursue a pro social lifestyle.”

The board added that no information has been provided to it to suggest that Bird has addressed his problems, including violence, alcohol abuse and emotional issues. “Given your continued instability, your proposed release plan of voluntarily residing at a half way [sic] house would not even be sufficient to manage your risk [,] high to re-offend if re-released.”

The board concluded its assessment of Bird by saying that he would present an “undue risk to the public” given his behaviours since his release.

Leave privileges were not authorized by the parole board, given the level of risk it deems Bird to present to the community. “You require very structured supervision to safely manage your case in the community.”

In January 2006, Bird kidnapped a girl from her home, put her in his vehicle, fought with her, and bit and choked her until she lost consciousness. He later released her at the side of a road. She ran barefoot to a nursing home to ask for help.

His sentence expires on Sept. 8, and until then he will be subject to these conditions.

tjames@panow.com

On Twitter: @thiajames