Waterloo Regional Police issue public-safety notice regarding charged person living in Wilmot

Gregory Zehr is facing several charges including sexual assault in connection with a London police investigation. He is now on bail and living with his parents in New Hamburg under strict conditions. Contributed photo

By Lee Griffi

The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) is issuing a public notification after a man recently released on bail now lives in New Hamburg.

London Police have charged 44-year-old Gregory Zehr with sexual assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, kidnapping, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon and uttering threats of death or bodily harm. The charges stem from an incident which occurred in London on June 4.

After a court appearance on Aug. 12, Zehr was released on bail conditions and is residing in New Hamburg. Those conditions include living in the town, remaining in the residence or on the property 24 hours a day unless in the presence of surety, having no access to a computer or internet and not possessing any weapons.

“WRPS is releasing this information because it believes doing so is necessary for public safety and to keep the public informed. If you observe Mr. Zehr breaching any of his release conditions, please do not approach him and call 911 immediately,” a police press release says.

Zehr has been granted bail after a contested hearing, despite a Crown prosecutor arguing he should remain in custody.

Police allege Zehr approached a woman walking in the 600 block of Adelaide Street on June 4 and lured her into his vehicle under false pretences. Once inside, police say he produced a knife, restrained the woman's hands and drove her to the area of Oxford Street East and Mornington Avenue, where she was allegedly sexually assaulted.

According to a CBC report, Zehr appeared by video from the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre for a bail hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

“Assistant Crown attorney Lisa Defoe opposed his release because of the seriousness of the allegations, while defence lawyer Lisa Gunn proposed a release plan with Zehr's parents acting as sureties. Justice Clive Forbes granted bail,” the CBC story says.

A publication ban is in place to protect the identity of the alleged victim.

The report added that, as part of his release conditions, Zehr must live with his parents in New Hamburg and remain under house arrest with limited exceptions. He must have no direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim and must stay away from the victim’s home, workplace and school. Zehr must also wear a GPS monitoring device and comply with the provincial monitoring program.

London police held a news conference to announce the charges, and they believe there may be additional victims.

There are specific rules in Ontario governing when police can publicly identify someone who has been charged, and the distinction between an ordinary police news release and a public-safety notification is important.

Ontario's current O. Reg. 412/23, Disclosure of Personal Information, under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, sets out when a chief of police or designate can disclose personal information.

Two provisions are particularly relevant, the first being disclosure to protect the public. Police may disclose personal information about an individual where the person has been convicted or found guilty of an offence, the chief/designate reasonably believes the person poses a significant risk to other people or property and disclosure is necessary to reduce that risk.

There is a separate provision allowing police to disclose certain personal information about a person who has been charged, convicted or found guilty of an offence. That includes identifying information such as the person's name, age, date of birth and address.