Sex offender being released from jail, moving into Winnipeg

A convicted sex offender considered a high risk to re-offend is being released from jail and expected to live in Winnipeg.

Winston George Thomas, 37, is being released from Headingley Correctional Centre Tuesday.

He has been released before but was re-arrested for breaching the terms of his probation order.

Thomas has previous convictions for two counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault, aggravated assault as well as many other criminal offences, stated a news release from the Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit (MIHRSOU), a joint forces unit of the Winnipeg Police Service and RCMP.

Although Thomas participated in some sex offender treatment programs while in prison, he is still considered a high risk to re-offend. Females of all ages are at risk of sexual violence.

In March 2007, Thomas and two other males met up with a 13-year-old girl at a shopping centre in Winnipeg. They took her to a residence where they drank liquor and smoked marijuana, the MIHRSOU release stated.

The girl was prevented from leaving and Thomas sexually assaulted her. He was arrested a short time later and sentenced to two years less a day.

Following his release from prison, he breached his probation and was sentenced to a further term in jail.

A month after being released again, Thomas committed a break and enter. He received an 18-month sentence and was released from Headingley in February 2012. On the same day, he was arrested and charged for breaching his probation order.

Since then, he's been released and re-arrested three more times.

"This information is provided to enable members of the public to take suitable measures to protect themselves. Any form of vigilante activity or other unreasonable conduct directed at Winston George Thomas will not be tolerated," stated the release from the MIHRSOU.

Anyone with information about Thomas who wishes to speak to a police officer, is asked to call the MIHRSOU at 204-984-1888.