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Sex offender to be released in Dawson City

After he served a 14-year sentence in New Brunswick, the court has granted a convicted rapist’s request to relocate to Dawson City.

After he served a 14-year sentence in New Brunswick, the court has granted a convicted rapist’s request to relocate to Dawson City.

Thane Aubrey Moore, who is in his early 40s, is currently serving a 14-year sentence for aggravated sexual assault, breach of probation and being unlawfully at large.

He is scheduled to be released from New Brunswick’s Dorchester Penitentiary on September 16, having served his complete sentence.

He had originally requested the court allow him to relocate to Whitehorse upon release.

His request was denied.

But in a hearing Thursday afternoon, a New Brunswick judge allowed Moore to relocate to Dawson City.

“The phone has been ringing off the hook and my e-mail basket is clogged,” said Dawson City Mayor John Steins late Thursday afternoon.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the community so fired up about an issue as this one.”

Dawson City residents are collecting signatures on a petition and will appeal to Moore to reconsider relocating to the town.

In 1993, Moore hitched a ride from a 21-year-old woman in Prince Edward Island.

He sexually assaulted her, punched, kicked and choked her into unconsciousness twice.

Her face was bruised and swollen, her eardrum was pierced and she required stitches to the corner of her mouth and her right ear.

She was hospitalized for five days.

Moore is at a high risk to offend both sexually and violently, according to a series of recent Parole Board of Canada decisions from June, July and August.

“The board is very concerned by reports that you continue to display increased hostility toward women, that is, members of Correctional Service of Canada staff,” says one report dated June 12.

He has also written unsolicited letters to women.

There will be a handful of conditions attached to Moore’s release.

He must keep the peace and be on good behaviour.

He must have no contact with 13 specific people and their families.

He must report to RCMP when he arrives in Dawson, and once a week thereafter.

He must remain in Dawson and tell the RCMP if he plans to leave.

He must not possess weapons and must abstain from alcohol and non-prescription drugs.

And he must not reside or be in the city of Whitehorse.

The RCMP will escort Moore to Dawson City. He will be allowed to land in Whitehorse en route.

The Yukon Justice department is meeting Friday to form a media response to the issue.