Rapist who left pregnant woman for dead in Banff denied parole

Rapist who left pregnant woman for dead in Banff denied parole

Weeks after he threatened to kill a female corrections officer, one of the province's most violent rapists who left a pregnant woman in a vegetative state has been deemed too dangerous for any form of parole.

"You are a very high risk to reoffend violently and sexually," reads the Parole Board of Canada decision released on Friday.

Albert Muckle is serving an indeterminate sentence after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault and attempted murder for raping a pregnant woman in Banff, and leaving her "just short of death."

Now 38 years old, he pleaded guilty in 2005 and was designated a dangerous offender.

"[Muckle's] level of risk would not be manageable in the community," the decision reads.

In July 2005, Muckle was drinking and doing drugs when he attacked his victim in a park in the Banff townsite. He dragged her to the riverbank, stole money and left but later returned to sexually assault the woman.

Muckle also tried to kill her.

Police said at the time that the woman worked in a Banff hotel, was strangled and left unconscious near the Bow River.

She was engaged and six weeks pregnant at the time.

It was hours before the woman was found partially clothed, bloodied and unconscious.

She was airlifted to hospital but has since remained in a vegetative state.

'Callous disregard' for others

"He has exhibited a callous disregard for the well being of other persons," reads the parole board's decision.

Muckle spent most of his life in institutions and foster homes, after being taken from his mother at a young age.

In 1999, he began a four-year prison sentence for stabbing a cab driver while in a drunken rage.

The board noted in its decision that Muckle has either not participated in programs designed to rehabilitate him or has been removed because of problematic behaviour.

"You do not regularly participate in cultural activities or ceremonies, and your attitude and behaviour towards Aboriginal Initiatives staff has been disrespectful at times," reads the report.

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