MONTREAL — A convicted Quebec pedophile who served prison time for sexually assaulting his own daughter for many years was arrested this week on suspicion of attempting to lure a minor.
Renald Cote was detained briefly Thursday and released after signing a peace bond, Magog police said Friday.
Lt. Sylvain Guay said Cote, 64, allegedly offered candy to a nine-year-old girl on Jan. 7 in front of his home and invited her inside.
The girl refused and a woman who witnessed the exchange filed a complaint after talking with her, Guay said.
The complaint was used by police to obtain a warrant seeking a bond against Cote.
Police said no criminal charges were laid because Cote hadn't committed a crime.
He was released Thursday after agreeing to numerous conditions and a $500 deposit.
The crux of the conditions involves keeping Cote away from minors.
Guay said police decided to act given Cote's prior criminal history. His alleged behaviour in the current case led to reasonable concerns that other sexual offences might be committed.
"The warrant serves to prevent criminality and not wait until after it is committed," Guay said.
Cote will return to a provincial court April 5 when a judge will determine whether the bond conditions should be cancelled or extended for up to two years.
Police say Cote did not have any conditions attached to his release from prison in 2014 after completing a 14-year sentence handed down in 2003 for incest and sexual assault in the case of his daughter, Isabelle.
Her brothers — Donald and Serge Cote — were also convicted of sexual assault in a disturbing case that attracted heavy media attention in Quebec.
Isabelle Cote died at age 22 in July 2002 as she underwent treatment for ovarian cancer, but provided authorities with audio and video statements about the abuse.
Magog is about 125 kilometres east of Montreal.
