He also had to register for the sex offenders list, and provide a sample of his DNA for the national registry.

Unlike the United States, where sex offenders are ordered to inform neighbours about their crimes, Mackie only has to inform local police of his address. Grant said Canada's system has a higher level of compliance than the U.S., where people are more likely to "go off the grid."

"Privacy laws prohibit the disclosure of additional details. However the Guelph Police Service wants the public to be aware of this individual’s presence in the community and to contact authorities if they observe Mr. Mackie engaging in any activity that could be considered a violation of his court order," the release says.

While violent sexual assault carries a maximum of life in prison, the Mercury report says that Superior Court Justice Cas Herold found several mitigating factors in the case, such as Mackie's guilty plea, indications he may suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome, and a traumatic brain injury a few years before the incident.

He also confessed to police in detail, after being captured in a cornfield a short distance from where the attack took place.

It is the policy of the Guelph police to not release the names of anyone involved in crimes. In this case, however, Grant said, the releasing of the name was approved by senior leadership and their legal department.

"The reason this (announcement) is going out today is because based on the release of Mr. Mackie, we have a concern for public safety," Grant said, continuing that the concern stems from a "a large combination of things," such as "the offenses that were committed and the fact that he will be living in our community."

"And we feel that letting the community know about him being in our community will help. Just letting everyone know will help with our concern."