Sask. hockey coach convicted of historic sex crime back on day parole after 'behavioural concerns'

A former WHL coach found guilty last year of sexually assaulting a teen boy is back on day parole.

Bernie Lynch, 70, was handed a three-year sentence in January for sexually and physically assaulting a 17-year-old boy who was staying at his apartment while attending a Regina Pats hockey school in 1988.

Lynch was granted day parole in August, but according to parole board documents obtained by CTV News, it was suspended after five weeks when his risk was no longer considered manageable.

“The [Correctional Service of Canada] suggests your day parole release was rife with behavioural concerns which included manipulation and impression management,” the parole board said.

“You continue to maintain you are innocent and are not attracted to young males. You took no accountability for why you were suspended and completely denied anything inappropriate was happening with other offenders at the [halfway house].”

Following a review with Lynch on Dec. 4, the parole board decided to allow him back out on day parole, with a reprimand.

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) conducted assessments of Lynch when he was admitted to federal custody in March. At that time, they found he presented a “below average” risk of sexually reoffending.

His psychologist wrote there’s no evidence to suggest Lynch has reoffended since his offence 35 years ago, which generally indicates a lower risk.

Because he was found to be at a low-risk offender, Lynch didn’t qualify for prison sex offender programming. By all accounts, the parole board found he was a well-behaved prisoner, but did not complete the CSC’s mandated programs.

When he applied to the Parole Board of Canada, Lynch said he would be willing to wear an “ankle bracelet” rather than go to a halfway house.

“You reported to a psychologist you would be willing to make ’10 calls a day’ or be checked on regularly by the police if it would allow you to return to your home,” the parole board wrote in its Dec. 4 report.

Instead, Lynch was granted day parole on Aug. 22 and sent to a community based residential facility — a halfway house. His release conditions included participating in emotions management and sexual offending treatment and not engaging in any coaching, or teaching of minors.

Lynch agreed to the treatment plan, but told the board he disagreed with being called a “sexual deviant.”

From the time Lynch arrived, the parole board says staff and other offenders expressed a number of concerns with his behaviour.

“You made numerous comments regarding your innocence, that you were not sexually deviant, and that you just wanted to help people. You repeatedly stated how everyone loved you and that you had many friends,” the report says.

“Although you admitted what you said was wrong, you continued to speak in this manner.”

Lynch also reportedly developed an obsession with his roommate — a younger man.

“You offered financial help, cooked for him, gave him rides etc. even though he repeatedly declined the offers. You were again counselled regarding boundaries and agreed you would ‘back off.’ You were urged to focus on your own business, rather than his,” the parole board said.

His roommate eventually moved to another room, with Lynch repeatedly asking where he moved to.

On Oct. 4, other offenders at the halfway house came forward with numerous allegations of sexual harassment.

“You allegedly would often ask them how often they masturbate. They said you would sit on their beds, uninvited, and actively move closer and closer to them each time,” the parole board said.

Staff then moved his roommate due to safety concerns. The next day, they say Lynch became upset, demanding an explanation. When not given a reason, he “began yelling and swearing at staff.”

The parole board noted his behaviour changed over that weekend, he started ignoring staff and his parole officer, which was unusual, and he was seen on camera staring down one of the offenders as they walked past.

His day parole was suspended soon after, on Oct. 7. In a phone interview with his parole officer, Lynch said he “had no idea” why he was suspended, and he denied asking his housemates about masturbating.

At a hearing following the suspension, Lynch’s victim told the parole board that when he learned of the release, he felt like his voice had not been heard.

“He believes you were playing the victim at your hearing and were not being genuine. He is convinced you are a high risk to reoffend and suggests there are other victims of yours who are scared to come forward.”

In his review with the parole board this month, Lynch described difficulties adjusting to life in the hallway house.

Lynch said he was chastised for spending too much time in his room, but when asked not to, he was then criticized for being too sociable. He told the parole board he just thought he was being nice by cooking and shopping for his younger roommate.

“You said his father told him who you were and the next day he was moved into another room,” the parole board wrote.

The parole board said Lynch has shown a persistent lack of accountability and continued to deny his crime.

“You deny being attracted to underage males, deny you committed the offence, and therefore it is not surprising you do not demonstrate any victim empathy or remorse.”

While his behaviour at the halfway house was serious, and warranted a formal reprimand, the board says it did not place society at an undue risk.

Lynch will return to a halfway house on day parole, but warned that any further inappropriate behaviour “could have more dire consequences.”