London authorities have issued a rare public safety advisory following the release on bail of a 19-year-old man facing charges related to child sexual abuse material offenses. Law enforcement initiated an inquiry on July 28 after a report was filed alleging that the man had made threats of harm, sexual assault, and violence against a teenage girl known to him. Identified as Connor Bennett, the 19-year-old was taken into custody on July 30 on charges of making threats of bodily harm or death.
Subsequent to a search, Bennett faced additional accusations of possession and access to child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Following a court appearance on Tuesday, he was granted bail. In a public statement, the police expressed “concerns for public safety” and decided to inform the community about his release to encourage individuals with pertinent information to come forward.
As part of the bail conditions, Bennett is required to reside in Thorold, Ont., in close proximity to St. Catharines, and is prohibited from owning or using electronic devices or those with Wi-Fi capabilities. He is also not allowed to interact with individuals under the age of 18 unless accompanied by his surety and is forbidden from possessing any weapons. Authorities are urging anyone with details regarding the case to reach out to them for assistance.