York Regional Police (YRP) are currently on the lookout for a convicted sex offender, Ryan Vandenakker, who failed to appear in court for his sentencing hearing this week. Vandenakker, a 32-year-old resident of Newmarket, has had an arrest warrant issued against him following his absence from the court proceedings.

In April, Vandenakker was convicted of three counts of sexual assault involving separate victims from 2018 to 2021. Given the serious nature of his convictions, he was released on bail while awaiting sentencing, under stringent conditions. These conditions included residing with his surety and remaining within his residence. However, authorities reported that he was declared missing on July 24, leading to his failure to appear for the sentencing hearing.

Despite Vandenakker's absence from the court, he was sentenced to seven years in prison during the hearing. While the police have mentioned that they do not believe he poses a risk to public safety, they have expressed concern about his overall well-being. This indicates a dual focus on community safety and the health of the individual involved in these serious offenses.

Investigators provided additional details regarding Vandenakker's potential whereabouts. They noted that he is associated with a black 2009 Honda Civic that has Ontario license plate CWKW695. Furthermore, he is known to frequent the town of Collingwood and the Grey County area, which could aid in locating him.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have information about Vandenakker’s whereabouts to reach out to the police. The case underscores the critical nature of monitoring convicted offenders and the ongoing need for community vigilance in ensuring safety while also being aware of the challenges faced by individuals released under scrutiny.