Froese released on bail
A notorious serial rapist who was the subject of an RCMP warning over the weekend will be granted bail after allegedly breaching his release conditions two days after moving to Kamloops.
Jack Samuel Froese was arrested on Tuesday, May 17, after an acquaintance told police he saw the 30-year-old convicted rapist drinking alcohol and smoking two marijuana joints at his mom's house earlier in the day.
On Sunday, May 15, Kamloops Mounties issued a warning about Froese, who entered into a peace bond last week with a number of strict conditions — including orders barring him from drinking, using drugs or being in the possession of a mask or duct tape.
At the bail hearing on Wednesday, May 18, court heard an acquaintance of Froese, Trevor Newton, was at the house Froese is living at in Valleyview when he saw him smoke two marijuana joints and consume alcohol.
Newton was described in court as "a known criminal."
Crown prosecutor Chris Balison said Newton recognized Froese from the RCMP warning a few days earlier, which received heavy media attention.
"He [Newton] essentially struggled with wanting to come forward and tell the police about this versus being labelled a rat," he said.
Balison said Froese poses a danger to the community, especially when he's under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
"He's a risk to the community to commit offences if he's out on bail," he said.
"His previous sexual assaults are violent in nature, often associated with drug use or alcohol.
"It may just be a joint or two, but it is certainly significant with respect to the background of Mr. Froese."
Balison said Froese also has a history of failing to show up for court appearances and failing to comply with court-ordered conditions.
The bail hearing was heard by New Westminster provincial court Judge Margaret Rae, who appeared by video due to a lack of local judges.
She said the Crown's case has "some serious issues" — mainly the credibility of the eyewitness.
"He [Froese] is being watched and he knows he's being watched," she said.
"If he moves one inch out of line, he's going to be arrested and brought before the courts."
Conditions of Froese's bail bar him from using drugs, drinking or going anywhere where people are drinking.
He's scheduled to return to court on May 30.
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