A 45-year-old Kootenay man has been handed an indeterminate sentence — meaning there is no fixed end date — after a judge determined that he is a dangerous offender (DO).
In a decision handed down last week, the judge said Jason Dirks poses a high and ongoing risk to public safety, especially to women, and that the indeterminate sentence was the only way to mitigate that risk.
Dirks has been behind bars since 2020, serving time for sexually assaulting a woman while out on parole after a previous sexual assault.
Dirks’ run-ins with the law started in 2001 when he sexually assaulted a teenage girl near Creston. He has since received repeated convictions for sexual assault, violent offences, and breaches of probation.
According to the provincial government, once someone is deemed a DO, they maintain that status for life. This means that if they commit further offences, B.C. courts are obligated to impose an indeterminate sentence unless it can be reasonably expected that a lesser sentence would adequately protect the public.
“Mr. Dirks’ history of violence and sexual violence have caused physical and psychological damage and injury to the victims,” the judgement says.
“It cannot be disputed that if he were to reoffend, it would exact physical and psychological damage, injury, pain, or other evil on other persons.”
Dirks had argued that he should be designated a long-term offender, rather than a DO, and sentenced to seven years plus 10 years of supervision.
“With respect, I do not agree,” the judge said.
Dirks will need to register as a sex offender for life. As well, he has been given a lifetime firearms prohibition.
The judge says the indeterminate sentence does not mean he will be behind bars forever, and that he will be eligible for annual reviews of his incarceration.
