Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

Judge orders Beltline rapist locked up indefinitely

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 | 3:03 PM MT

A man dubbed the Beltine rapist after the Calgary neighbourhood where he attacked his victims will be jailed indefinitely as a dangerous offender, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Wafid Delaa, 41, knocked a 19-year-old woman unconscious in her own home south of downtown Calgary and raped her in September 2003. Six months later, he committed the same crime, attacking a 16-year-old.

Delaa was convicted of sexual assault and unlawful confinement in 2006. He also had previous assault convictions dating back to 1999. The Crown argued giving Delaa a set prison sentence would endanger the community.

"I will not gamble on the safety of women in this community," Judge Sandy Park said Wednesday in designating Delaa a dangerous offender.

Park noted that little is known about Delaa's background before he arrived illegally in Canada from Algeria in 1997, and that the 41-year-old has shown a pattern of violence toward both men and women.

The ruling means Delaa will remain in jail until a doctor says he no longer poses a threat to public safety. He could also face deportation to his native Algeria.

With files from the Canadian Press

MORE CALGARY HEADLINES »

Vacationing Alberta man dies at Cancun resort
Family and friends of Chris Morin, a southern Alberta man who died while on vacation at a Mexican resort, are looking for answers about his death.
Doctors, not judges, should control patient care: appeal Video
In a case that could set a precedent for end-of-life decisions, the Calgary Health Region is fighting a court order that went against doctors' diagnosis that a comatose patient could not be saved.
RCMP apologizes to ex-Mountie for wrongful arrest
The RCMP formally apologized Friday for the wrongful arrest and prosecution of John Hudak, a former Alberta RCMP officer, in a sexual assault case.
Cochrane RCMP investigate attempted child abduction
A seven-year-old girl who refused to unlock the doors of the car she was sitting in foiled a kidnapping attempt in Cochrane, west of Calgary.
25,000 abused women, kids turned away from Alberta shelters
The Alberta government insists it's not ignoring the plight of abused women and children, after a report showed record numbers were turned away from shelters last year due to inadequate funding.
Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

Twin blasts kill 16 in Pakistan
Two suicide blasts killed at least 16 people in the Pakistani town of Rawalpindi on the outskirts of Islamabad, officials said Saturday.
Canadian-owned ship sinks in Antarctic; passengers, crew safe Video
Passengers and crew members of a Canadian-owned cruise ship are spending the night at a Chilean miliary base after the ship sank in Antarctic waters near Argentina.
Lebanon's president declares state of emergency, leaves office Video
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud declared a state of emergency and gave control of the country to the army on Friday night, just hours before he left office without a successor.
more »

Canada »

1 dead, 2 injured in targeted attack in Harrison, B.C.: RCMP
One person is dead and two others injured, one seriously, in what police describe as a targeted attack Friday afternoon in the quiet town of Harrison, B.C., northeast of Vancouver.
Flaherty mulls budget help for manufacturers
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Friday he may be preparing some relief for the country's hard-hit manufacturing sector in the next federal budget.
Man jolted with Taser needed help, widow says VideoAudio
The Nova Scotia man who died the day after he was shocked with a Taser should have been medicated for his mental illness, his wife says.
more »

Health »

FDA mulls psych warning for 2 flu drugs
U.S. Food and Drug Administration staff have recommended new warnings about psychiatric side effects seen in some patients taking flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, according to documents released Friday.
Growing up poor means more illness, shorter lifespan: Quebec report
Children raised in poverty are more likely to get sick, and in adulthood die at a younger age, than those raised in more affluent surroundings, suggests a report released Thursday.
Mental health association wants training for emergency responders
The Canadian Mental Health Association is trying to start a training program for emergency responders in New Brunswick so they can better respond to calls involving mentally ill people.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

J.K. Rowling named year's top entertainer by U.S. magazine
J.K. Rowling's magical Midas touch has landed her on the cover of Entertainment Weekly as the magazine's entertainer of the year.
Pullman books under review by 2 more Catholic boards
Two other Toronto-area Catholic boards of education are studying copies of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy after the Halton District Catholic School Board removed the children's books from its library shelves.
Broadcasting watchdog keeps ears perked for changes in CBC Radio
CBC Radio is "a national treasure" and audiences across the country will be listening carefully for any changes following the announcement of CBC's integration plans, a Canadian broadcasting watchdog said on Friday.
more »

Technology & Science »

San Fran oil spill hurts Canadian sea duck population
An oil spill in San Francisco Bay two weeks ago killed and oiled thousands of birds, with a Canadian sea duck among the largest casualties.
2006 a record year for greenhouse gases: UN
Levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere hit new heights in 2006, the United Nation's weather agency said in a report released Friday.
Online Chinese youth caught in web, survey suggests
Chinese youth on the internet are more likely to use it to expand their social circles and increase self-expression — and to feel addicted to it — than American young people, a study released Friday suggests.
more »

Money »

U.S. cash registers ring on 'Black Friday' Video
American shoppers jammed malls and stores for discounts on everything from TVs to toys on the official start of the U.S. Christmas shopping season.
Federal surplus keeps on growing
The federal budget surplus rose by $700 million in September as the treasury continued to bring in more money than it paid out.
Flaherty mulls budget help for manufacturers
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Friday he may be preparing some relief for the country's hard-hit manufacturing sector in the next federal budget.
more »

Consumer Life »

FDA mulls psych warning for 2 flu drugs
U.S. Food and Drug Administration staff have recommended new warnings about psychiatric side effects seen in some patients taking flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, according to documents released Friday.
Men motivated by earning more than colleagues, study finds
The size of their paycheques isn't the sole motivation for men who also consider besting their colleagues as a key measure of the reward, according to a new study published in the journal Science.
Resist temptation to spend on 'Buy Nothing Day,' May says
Friday is an important day for many North American environment groups as they are marking 'Buy Nothing Day,' to signify the need to cut back on excess consumption.
more »

Sports »

Scores: CFL MLB MLS

Vanek lifts Sabres over Canadiens
Thomas Vanek scored a power-play goal with less than nine minutes remaining in the third period to give the Buffalo Sabres a 4-2 home win over the Montreal Canadiens Friday night.
Streaking Stars clip struggling Leafs
Winger Antti Miettinen scored the game-winning goal in the second period to hand the Dallas Stars a 3-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs Friday night.
Pivot Joseph tops CFL all-stars
One day after being named the league's most outstanding player, Saskatchewan quarterback Kerry Joseph was selected to the CFL all-star team on Friday.
more »