Rapist high risk, trial told

A convicted rapist the Crown wants kept behind bars indefinitely is a high risk to reoffend, his sentencing hearing was told Friday.

Scott McLaughlin, 42, has more than 60 criminal convictions to his name. His latest involved the kidnapping, rape and robbery of a 71-year-old woman.

Dr. Derek Pallandi, a psychiatrist tasked with generating a report for the courts on McLaughlin, said there is an 82-per-cent probability that someone like McLaughlin will reoffend within the next decade.

“MR. MCLAUGHLIN LIKELY REQUIRES THE MOST STRINGENT OF EXTERNALLY IMPOSED CONTROLS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC.” DR. DEREK PALLANDI

The probability is 39 per cent that he would commit another sexual offence within the next five years and 52 per that he would commit another sexual offence within the next 15 years.

“Mr. McLaughlin likely requires the most stringent of externally imposed controls for the protection of the public,” Pallandi concluded.

The Crown is seeking to have McLaughlin declared a dangerous offender. Such a designation could keep him incarcerated indefinitely.

In earlier testimony, Pallandi said he has diagnosed McLaughlin with psychopathy, anti-social personality disorder and a disorder in which he abuses multiple substances, predominantly cocaine and alcohol. But some of Pallandi’s conclusions that led him to the diagnoses were questioned Friday by defence lawyer John Liddle.

Liddle questioned the validity of one of the risk assessment tools Pallandi used. The psychiatrist conceded he had incomplete information in some of the categories.

McLaughlin’s hearing resumes later this month.