Man charged after tapes showing sex assaults seized
Canadian Press
Vancouver — A man has been charged with sexual assault and unlawful confinement after police discovered videotapes showing prostitutes being treated with "extreme violence," a spokeswoman for city police said Friday.
The seized tapes showed 40 to 50 women being assaulted, said Constable Sarah Bloor.
The investigation began in early December after a woman was heard screaming in Vancouver's Crab Park.
Officers arrived to see a man walking out from behind a bush, followed by a sex trade worker "who was obviously in distress," said Constable Bloor.
The man was carrying a bag containing a video camera and tape.
Police arrested the man and viewed the tape, which showed pain being inflicted on local sex trade workers, said Constable Bloor.
"We're talking extreme violence," she said, refusing to comment further on the specific nature of the assaults.
Donald Michel Bakker, who has been in custody since Dec. 2, appeared in provincial court on Friday.
He had been charged earlier, said Constable Bloor, but further counts were added Friday, bringing the total to five charges of sexual assault and one count of unlawful confinement.
Global affiliate BCTV reported the court heard Mr. Bakker could soon face 25 more charges.
Mr. Bakker is a 40-year-old Vancouver resident with no previous criminal record.
"He is married and he does have a child," said Constable Bloor.
Search warrants were issued after the arrest and police checked a home and car, seizing more tapes.
Investigators also found tapes showing sexual acts involving young children in southeast Asia, said Constable Bloor.
She said a third of the alleged Vancouver victims have been identified and have spoken with police.
The city's sex offence squad had never received a tip about the accused, she said.
"There has never been any information that has come forward to police prior to the incident of Dec. 2," she said.
A task force involving 34 full-time officers has been working on the case, which has taken a toll on officers, she said.
"This investigation has had a huge emotional impact on all the investigators assigned," she said.
"Understandably, investigators have to view the tapes and the images are so disturbing that it's very emotional to watch for them."
Canadian Press
Vancouver — A man has been charged with sexual assault and unlawful confinement after police discovered videotapes showing prostitutes being treated with "extreme violence," a spokeswoman for city police said Friday.
The seized tapes showed 40 to 50 women being assaulted, said Constable Sarah Bloor.
The investigation began in early December after a woman was heard screaming in Vancouver's Crab Park.
Officers arrived to see a man walking out from behind a bush, followed by a sex trade worker "who was obviously in distress," said Constable Bloor.
The man was carrying a bag containing a video camera and tape.
Police arrested the man and viewed the tape, which showed pain being inflicted on local sex trade workers, said Constable Bloor.
"We're talking extreme violence," she said, refusing to comment further on the specific nature of the assaults.
Donald Michel Bakker, who has been in custody since Dec. 2, appeared in provincial court on Friday.
He had been charged earlier, said Constable Bloor, but further counts were added Friday, bringing the total to five charges of sexual assault and one count of unlawful confinement.
Global affiliate BCTV reported the court heard Mr. Bakker could soon face 25 more charges.
Mr. Bakker is a 40-year-old Vancouver resident with no previous criminal record.
"He is married and he does have a child," said Constable Bloor.
Search warrants were issued after the arrest and police checked a home and car, seizing more tapes.
Investigators also found tapes showing sexual acts involving young children in southeast Asia, said Constable Bloor.
She said a third of the alleged Vancouver victims have been identified and have spoken with police.
The city's sex offence squad had never received a tip about the accused, she said.
"There has never been any information that has come forward to police prior to the incident of Dec. 2," she said.
A task force involving 34 full-time officers has been working on the case, which has taken a toll on officers, she said.
"This investigation has had a huge emotional impact on all the investigators assigned," she said.
"Understandably, investigators have to view the tapes and the images are so disturbing that it's very emotional to watch for them."
