Full parole for sex offender

Former Bluefield High School youth worker Arthur Francis McGuigan must follow strict conditions

A former high school youth worker who was sentenced to more than five years in prison after committing sex offences involving teenage girls has been granted full parole.

With his release, Arthur Francis McGuigan will have to abide by strict conditions, including he follow treatment for deviant sexual interests.

He was granted day parole in February.

McGuigan was sentenced in October 2014 to 5.5 years in prison for sexual exploitation, luring, drug trafficking and breaching an undertaking.

He was a youth worker at Bluefield High School when he committed the offences, including having sexual encounters with underage girls and giving them drugs or money.

In a recent report, the Parole Board of Canada said it acknowledged the serious nature of McGuigan’s offences, which he committed while in a position of trust.

McGuigan’s plan for his release on parole includes moving to a different community, living with family members and completing a heavy machinery course.

The board said McGuigan’s deviant sexual thoughts, his difficulty addressing personal and emotional issues and his drug use led to him committing his offences.

He previously told the board he became addicted to pornography and was attracted to young girls.

Prior to his release on day parole, McGuigan also admitted to grooming his victims and said he felt validated by the attention they gave him.

The board imposed strict conditions on his release at that time and those conditions will continue while on full parole.

McGuigan has participated in programs and continues to show positive change, the board said.

In imposing the conditions, the board said they are deemed reasonable and necessary to protect society and to help with McGuigan’s reintegration.

The conditions include McGuigan must not be in the presence of any girls younger than 18 unless an approved adult is supervising.

McGuigan must follow any treatment plan his parole supervisor arranges for deviant sexual interests.

He is banned from owning, possessing or using devices that allow unsupervised access to the Internet and he must avoid any contact with his victims.

The board also banned McGuigan from consuming, buying or possessing alcohol or drugs other than those taken as prescribed or over the counter.