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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, February 16,2000 PAGE 5 Convict allegedly stalked young girls Police want man's movements curtailed BY STEPHEN SHAW Staff Writer An Oshawa man suspected suspected of stalking children in residential neighbourhoods neighbourhoods was "evasive" when questioned by police, but agreed to seek counselling, court has heard. Edwin Thomas Hamer, a convicted sex offender, was interviewed at his Oshawa residence by Constable Brent Laporte, in February 1998 after several similar reports about children being approached by a man in a van. "He was extremely evasive evasive at first. He would not at all admit to being (in the area)," Mr. Laporte, who has since left the Durham Regional Police force, testified. testified. Later in the interview, however, Mr. Hamer, grew more "relaxed" and changed his story, said the former officer. "He admitted admitted being in the area... (but) did not admit to saying anything anything to the girls," Mr. Laporte Laporte said. Prosecutor Sue MacLean is alleging Mr. Hamer, 37, is a sexual predator who poses an immediate threat to an "undetermined number of potential young victims." Based on those fears, police police and the Crown have applied applied for a court order to restrict restrict Mr. Hamer's movements movements under section 810.1 of the Criminal Code. Mr. Hamer is currently not facing any criminal charges and is not on probation probation or parole. And although he was never charged, the Crown is attempting to prove Mr. Hamer was the man ap proaching and trying to lure young girls into a van in late 1997. The incidents happened in September and October in residential neighbourhoods neighbourhoods in south Oshawa and Courlicc. The reports were similar and involved a van pulling up alongside girls aged seven and eight, with the driver offering the girls a ride or making sexual comments. comments. One child was approached approached on three occasions, occasions, and like the others ran away from the man, Mr. Laporte Laporte said. Defence lawyer Alex Sosna suggested the descriptions descriptions of the driver and the van were "inconsistent." Mr. Hamer has blond hair with a beard, however, the description provided by one of the victims indicated the suspect had long black hair, Mr. Sosna noted. One description said the van had the letters 'Hamer' on the side; another said it was 'Hammer,' court heard. ML Laporte said he was "totally satisfied Mr. Hamer was the suspect in three, of the four (reports)." He said police focused on Mr. Hamer after receiving receiving a tip the suspect was driving driving a van with licence plates registered to the company company Hamer Landscape. Although police did not have grounds to charge, the former officer said he was satisfied Mr. Hamer acknowledged acknowledged his previous convictions for committing indecent acts and agreed to return to counselling. The hearing is scheduled to continue March 22. You have Freedom to Read but obey the law BY JACQUIE McINNES Staff Writer CLARINGTON - You can read what you want in Clarington as long as you're not breaking any laws. Clarington council proclaimed proclaimed Feb. 27 to March 4 Freedom to Read week on Monday but added its own qualifier regarding the legality legality of the material. At the request of Clarington Clarington Public Library chairman chairman Craig Brown, council endorsed a resolution to defend defend the right of each individual individual within the community community to "decide what he or she will or will not read." But, in an amendment to the proclamation, Councillor Councillor Troy Young asked to include include "where allowed by Canadian law" to ensure it was clear council did not endorse the reading of hate or pornographic literature which would be banned by law. "I understand it's a stan dard proclamation," he said,- noting his addition "still protects the intent of the original motion" while making it clear council does not support illegal activity. Councillor Jane Rowe, council's representative on the library board said "everything they (library staff) do, and, every book they choose is according to Canadian law." Freedom to Read Week is celebrated across Canada to recognize our intellectual freedom. Li- ' brades, bookstores and schools will promote displays displays of censored materials and educate the public about censorship during the annual event sponsored by the Canadian book and magazine industry. In Clarington, Clarington, the libraries will host displays of materials in their collection which have been banned, challenged or removed from libraries, school libraries and bookstores. bookstores. READY NEXT <fc#»OQ DAY oni/O 24 EXPOSURE 135mm Film Processing Knnical LINE PHOTO 723-8867 FREE PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT • FREE COVER FREE C02 DETECTOR TO 1st 25 CUSTOMERS NO Money Down, NO Interest & NO Payments tor 4 Months O.A.C. CELEBRATING 33 YEARS OF AWARD WINNING SALES 0 SERVICE FREE In-Home Estimate 0 24 Hour Emergency Service 13 Quality Workmanship 3 Licensed Technicians 3 Lowest Price Guaranteed 3 Authorized Dealer 3 Better Business Bureau Member 3 Carbon Monoxide Detector with the purchase of any Gas Appliance • We Specialize In electric to gas conversion n tr% rn MAFa/ VISIT our showroom HdlllllUl V 2001 THICKSON RD. S. HEATIN0 S AIR CONDITIONINO LTD. 905*434*5541 •Servian Durham Slave /%V 905*686*0571 LENNOX Youth dance raises funds for centre BOWMANVILLE - Clarington Clarington youth can break loose for a night of fun in Bowmanvillc this week. Tire Firehouse Youth Centre is hosting a dance on Friday, Feb. 18 from 7 p.m. until midnight. A DJ will play a wide selection of music including alternative to contemporary contemporary rock. Admission is S3 at the door and youth between the ages of 12 and 19 arc welcome. Prizes will he given away in a Valentine theme to contest winners. 'Hie money raised at the dance will be used for maintenance on the youth centre. February Is Heart month Last year, a new pacemaker implant mgm l. saved Max's life Now he am spend more time with his grandfather. r~\ /" Please give to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION OF ONTARIO Diamond Shine Car Cleaning & Detailing 221 Westncy Rd. 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LEASE OPTIONS DOWN PAYMENT LEASE PAYMENT '0 *270 *1,820 *218 *3,000 *185 PONTIAC SUNRRE W SUIT FOR DRIVERS 2000 VALUE PACKAGE • 4-Speed Automatic with Traction Control • Air Conditioning • Upgraded 15" Wheels • Power Door Locks • Remote Keyless Entry with Panic Alarm • Cruise Control • Anti-Lock Braking System • Cassette • Dual Theft-Deterrent System • PASSLock® II • 2.2 Litre 115 HP Engine 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDAN 36 MONTH SmartLease PURCHASE FINANCE CASH PURCHASE PRICE $218 1.9% $17758 PONTIAC GRAND AM 36 MONTH SmartLiase $258 pti month/S2.450 down pziment, $750 height end $300 security deposit required PURCHASE FINANCE 2.9% up to 4B month! 1 PURCHASE PRICE $20,788 excludes (night $750 • 2.4 Litre Twin Cam 150 HP Engine • 4-Speed Automatic Transmission with Enhanced Traction System *, 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System • 4-Wheel Independent Suspension • Air Conditioning • Next. Generation Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags • AM/FM Stereo Cassette • PASSLock® II Theft-Deterrent System • Tilt-Wheel™ • Power Door Locks • Solid Frame Construction - Rigid Body Structure • Ergonomic Designed Interior Space - Driver Controls within easy reach LEASE OPTIONS DOWNPAYMENT LEASE PAYMENT '331 •258 per month/51,820 down payment, 5710 height and 5300 security deposit required 36 MONTH SmamUase $248. pet month/$3,810 down pajment. $915 freight and $300 security deposit required PURCHASE FINANCE 1.9% up to 48 months' CASH PURCHASE $24,458 excludes height 5710 PONTIAC MONTANA • 3.4 Litre 3400 V6185 HP Engine • 4-Speed Automatic Transmission • 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System • Air Conditioning .* Power Windows/Door Locks/Mirrors • Dual Sliding Doors • Deep Tint Glass • AM/FM Stereo • Tilt-Wheel'" or hi' up to 48 months' CASH PURCHASE PRICE excludes freight $915 LEASE OPTIONS DOWN PAYMENT M JNTHLY PAYMENT •0 •358 •3.810 •248 •184 GMC JIMMY 2-DOOR GMC SIERRA REGULAR CAB 36 MONTH Swuitutt $298.. permonth/$3,920 down payment, $785 freight and $350 secGrlly deposit required PURCHASE FINANCE 1.9%. up to 48 months' CASH PURCHASE PRICE $28838 excludes freight $785 • Vortec 4300 V6 190 HP Engine • 4-Speed Automatic Transmission • Air Conditioning • Power Door Locks/ Windows/Mirrors • 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System • Tilt-Wheel'" & Cruise Control • Next Generation Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags • Off-Road Suspension • Locking Differential • AM/FM Stereo with CD 36 MONTH S*u*iLease $298., per month/$2.360 down payment. $900 freight and $350 security deposit required PURCHASE FINANCE LEASE OPTIONS DOWN PAYMENT MONTHLY PAYMENT •0 •414 •3,920 •298 •6,000 •200 2.9% up to 48 months' CASH PURCHASE PRICE $23,568 Hdudes height $900 • Vortec 4800 V8 Engine - 270 HP • Automatic Transmission with Overdrive and Tow/Haul Mode • Air Conditioning with Interior Air nitration System • 4-Wheel Disc & 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System • 40/20/40 Split Front Seat with Custom Cloth Trim • Full Instrumentation including: Tachometer, Engine Hour Meter & Driver Message Centre • Chrome Wheels, Grille and Bumpers • AM/FM Stereo • Tilt- Wheel'"* Automatic Headlights LEASE OPTIONS DOWN PAYMENT MONTHLY PAYMENT •0 •370 •2,360 '298 •5,000 '218 fgy ASK ABOUT 4WD FOR A LIMITED TIME. ONLY AT YOUR LOCAL PONTIAC*BUICK«GMC DEALER. ta Wo'd llko you to know more: Como visit us nt your local donlor, on our wobsito at www.gmcnnndn.com or call us at 1*800*GM*DRIVE. 'Oilers based on Sunliro Sedan R7Z/Grnnd AM R7Z/Montnnn R7Z/Jlmmy 2-Door R7Z/Siorra Regular Cab R7Y, Annual cost ol borrowing 1,9%/4.4%/2.0°o/4.4%/0,4% | kilomotro limit ol 20,000 km, $0.12 por oxcoss kilomotro. Opt' ' ' ""'Z/Jimmy 2-Door R7Z/Slorra % por annum. Annual Option to purchase nt loaso ond Is $9,035,20/510,95G/514,833/519,200.15/515,025.50 (Sunliro Sedan irrn Regular Cab R7Y) plus applicable taxes. Other loaso options available. 'VtFrolght (as indicated), os not Included. Doalors nro Iroo to sot individual prices. IFinnncing on approved GMAC credit only. ' - - ' ring Is S39; ' ^ r ~ ... approvod GMAC credit only. $392.90/5003.20. Total obligation is R7Z/Grnnd AM R7Z/Montana R7i licence, Insurnnco, P.P.S.A., administration loos, and laxos , . Example: 510,000 at 10°/J2.0% APR, tho monthly payment is $210.52/5220.90 lor 40 months. Cost ol borrowing $10,392,90/510,003,20, Down payment, Undo, and/or security deposit may bo required. Monthly payment and cost ol borrowing will vary depending on amount , borrowed and down pnymont/tmdo. VTlio SmamtLease monthly payment and tho GMAC purchase finance rato nro not available with and aro not calculated on tho 'Cash Purchase' prico ns shown, Tho clilloronco botwoon tho price lor tho SmamtLcasl/GMAC Purchase Finance olfor and tho 'Cash Purchaso' ollors Is doomod undor provincial disclosure laws to bo a cost of borrowing, wholhor or not tho samo roprosonts actual Inlorost and Is required to bo expressed ns an annual porconlngo rato which Is 4.42 < !;V4.G2%/4,04%/5.G0% (Sunliro Sudan R7Z/Montana R7Z/Jimmy 2-Door itasiorrn Regular Cab R7Y). 'T tJOIforo apply to select 2000 now or demonstrator models equipped ns doscilbod, and to qualified rolnll customers In tho Ontario Pontiac Bulck GMC Doalor Marketing Association aroa only. Doalor order or trade may bo accessary. Limited time ollor which may not bo combined with othor ollors, Somo restrictions may apply, Soo your doalor for conditions or details.