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Kidnapper goes back to prison

Apr 21, 2011 | 6:47 AM

A man on statutory release for a high profile kidnapping near Shellbrook five years ago is back in prison.

The Parole Board of Canada has revoked the statutory release of Linden Bird, saying the 25-year-old breached his release conditions during an altercation with his girlfriend in February.

According to a parole board decision obtained by paNOW, Bird allegedly broke down his girlfriend’s door, smashed her television and assaulted her.

Although his behavior was reportedly positive throughout most of his release, he failed to abstain from alcohol and incurred new charges of assault and mischief.

Therefore he is no longer a manageable risk in the community, the board said.

Bird was initially sentenced to seven years in prison for kidnapping, unlawful confinement, choking, breaking and entering, theft and unlawfully taking a vehicle.

In Jan. 2006 while intoxicated, Bird, snatched an 11-year-old girl from her home in the middle of the night.

He placed her in his vehicle and fought with the girl, biting and choking her until she lost consciousness.

He then released her at the side of a road where the girl ran barefoot to a nearby nursing home to get help.

The young girl suffered numerous bruises and scrapes and was found to have had a large amount of opiates in her system.

At his trial, Bird claimed he was too drunk to remember why he committed the crime.

Police reports stated that he planned sexually assault or kill the girl, but “snapped out of it” and let her go.

The parole board said Bird acknowledged his mistake during his hearing and realized that he required more intensive programming to address his serious substance abuse issues.

Bird will again be eligible for statutory release in Aug. 2012.

See related: Kidnapper to be set free

bbosker@panow.com