Former top doctor convicted of child molestation granted full parole

CTV News

7 days ago

A former medical health officer in B.C. and Alberta, who was convicted of sexual interference with a young boy, has been granted full parole less than two years into his sentence, CTV News has learned.
Albert De Villiers, now 56, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison in June of 2023 after being found guilty of the crime in February. The victim, who cannot be identified due to a publication ban, testified the doctor showed him pornography and touched him sexually on several occasions.
The child was seven years old when the abuse began at De Villiers' home in Grande Prairie, Alta., where he was employed as a public health doctor for the province's northern region. De Villiers and the boy's parents were close family friends.
At the time of his arrest in 2021, De Villiers was the chief medical health officer for B.C.'s Interior Health authority.
'At sentencing, the aggravating factors noted were the young age of the victim, the significant harm that was reported by the victim and his parents to have occurred, you were in a position of trust, the duration and frequency of sexual contact, that grooming behaviour occurred, and the high degree of sexual interference that took place during the sexual contact,' reads a Parole Board of Canada decision obtained by CTV News.
De Villiers was assessed as a 'minimum-security offender' during his time in prison and was granted day parole in October of 2024 after 16 months behind bars. He lived at a halfway house and the parole board noted 'there have been no reported concerns' and De Villiers was 'highly motivated and engaged with (his) case management team.'
While on day parole, De Villiers spent 'numerous' weekends away from the facility with his family and started working with his wife on an online business, according to the board.
He applied for full parole earlier this year, and it was granted on April 15, the date his day parole expired.
In coming to that decision, the parole board noted that De Villiers completed a number of sex offender programs while in custody and day parole, and was assessed as stable mental health and a generally low risk to re-offend.
'The board does not lose sight of the nature or gravity of the index offence where you committed sexual offences against an underage male victim over a period of time resulting in serious harm,' the decision reads. 'You did not consider the consequences of your actions and focused only on your own sexual gratification. The impacts on the victim and your betrayal of trust and authority on him and his family can not be overstated.'
Nonetheless, the board ruled De Villiers 'utilized (his) time during (his) sentence and on day parole as it was intended' and has a high potential for reintegration.
'You have demonstrated stability, and your full parole plan is realistic and presents a strong continuum of care for your future,' the board wrote. 'You have the support of your immediate and extended family, of close friends, and a faith community. You are financially stable with employment and plans for your future.'
Conditions of De Villiers' parole include an order to have no contact with the victim, the victim's family members, or any male under the age of 16. In addition, he is prohibited from being in an area children are likely to be such as schools and playgrounds, unless with a pre-approved 'responsible adult' aware of his criminal history.
De Villiers is allowed to have only one phone and SIM card and must give all bills and records to his parole supervisor, who is allowed to search his texts and camera roll upon request. He is also barred from accessing any pornography or sexually explicit material.