Sex offender denied early release

SYDNEY — There will be no early release for a Cape Breton man from federal jail after a parole board panel concluded he continues to present a “rather high risk to reoffend.”

James Douglas Macleod, 36, was sentenced in 2015 to serve a seven-year sentence on charges of sexual assault and sexual assault with threats to cause bodily harm.

He was also ordered to be a registered sex offender for 20 years and banned from possessing weapons for the remainder of his life.

Macleod, whose court files list addresses in Sydney and Glace Bay, has a lengthy criminal record including convictions for breach of trust, assault, forcible confinement, attempted sexual assault, trafficking and criminal harassment. While serving his sentence, Macleod pleaded guilty in 2020 to another charge of sexual assault involving a transgender inmate.

According to a Parole Board of Canada decision released this week, the sentencing judge referenced that Macleod displayed a lack of insight, remorse and empathy for the victim.

Macleod explained that he had no recollection of the incident blaming it on the use of alcohol and drugs.

“Much of your offending has been sexually motivated, you have offended against males and females, both prepubescent and pubescent, and file information notes a clear preference for children,” states the board decision.

The panel further commented that the 2020 conviction for sexual assault was a continuation of a pattern of Macleod being unable to control his sexual impulses.

Another problem facing the panel was that no community residential facility (halfway house) would accept Macleod into their ranks given his assessment of above-average risk to re-offend sexually.

Macleod, who identifies as Mi’kmaq, reported a family history of substance abuse, family and community fragmentation and violence and sexual abuse.

He also reported being sexually abused as a child. Macleod told the panel he has a diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and that various other assessments have indicated mild intellectual delays, anti-social personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder and pedophilia. The panel decision noted that Macleod has made gains while incarcerated including completing his educational upgrading and having completed several courses.