Edmonton sex predator not a dangerous offender: judge

An Edmonton judge described a notorious sex offender as a "a most repulsive man" on Friday, but chose not to label him as a dangerous offender.

Instead, Justice Sterling Sanderman declared Steve Ewanchuk a long-term offender.

The ruling meansthe Edmonton manwill face 10 years of supervision in the community after serving time for his most recent conviction, a sentence that hasn't been set yet.

If Ewanchuk had been declared a dangerous offender, a label the Crown was pushing for, he would have been imprisoned indefinitely.

In court Friday, Sanderman explained his decision. He noted that the Supreme Court has ruled that dangerous offender designations are not necessary if adequate protection to the public can be guaranteed.

He also cited evidence that shows sexual offenders reoffend less once they pass the age of 60. Ewanchuk, who's battling cancer, will be 58 in April.

He was convicted of a string of sexual assaults, starting in 1969, involving women and girls from ages eight to 20.

In 1999, the Supreme Court convicted him of sexual assault after he groped a 17-year-old girl during a job interview even though she asked him to stop three times. The incident became known as the "no means no" case.

On Friday, Sanderman lambasted Ewanchuk for his actions.

"You are a most repulsive man," Sanderman told him. "You cause aversion and loathing in other human beings. You are a loathsome person."

"You are the most disgusting of individuals."

In Ewanchuk's most recent conviction, he was found guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl.

Sanderman will sentence him for that offence next month.