Images of Kayla Bourque posted on vampirefreaks.com, an online community for the Goth-industrial subculture. Photograph by: Submitted, vampirefreaks.com

Kayla Bourque, the 22-year-old about to be released on an extreme set of probationary conditions, is a challenge to our legal system.

Provincial Court Judge Malcolm MacLean summed it up by describing the slight figure with long dark hair plaited into braids as a “psychopathic and narcissistic … sexual sadist” obsessed with violence and devoid of empathy or remorse.

The psychiatrists who interviewed her were struck by the former Simon Fraser University student’s satanic sangfroid.

She exhibited all the signs of an amoral predator — a budding Karla Homolka, partner of infamous Ontario sex killer Paul Bernardo.

Although initially arrested under the Mental Health Act, Bourque is not psychotic or suffering from any recognized psychiatric illness that would render her not criminally responsible for her actions.

She lacks a conscience.

Adopted from a Romanian orphanage at eight months old, Bourque grew up in Prince George with a morbid fascination with murder and gore.

At SFU, she studied criminology and psychology.

Last March, she boasted of disembowelling and dismembering her cat and told a friend she fantasized about shooting a homeless person or killing someone in residence.

That was enough to get her arrested.

In her room, police found a bag containing a seven-inch knife, a razor blade, zap straps, a mask and a syringe.

They found a video of her killing the cat plus another with her narrating the evisceration and hanging of the family dog.

Bourque recently pleaded guilty to killing or injuring an animal, causing unnecessary suffering and pain to an animal and possessing a knife.

She had served a little over six months awaiting trial so Judge MacLean tacked on an additional two months in custody.

That also will allow probation officers to prepare for Bourque’s release under a comprehensive set of conditions.

She will be monitored by the Vancouver police’s high-risk offender unit, abide by an curfew, avoid anyone under 18 and stay away from places where kids congregate.

She’s been ordered to have no relationship without first advising the person of her history in writing, to not use a computer except to look for work and then only under supervision, to possess no pornography and to attend counselling.

The extensive three-year probation order will be reviewed after three months.

Bourque also is banned from owning a pet for life.

She’s being released even though she remains a risk to hurt someone — someone vulnerable, someone old, very young or infirm.

In Canada, we do not jail people for the darkness in their hearts, only when they act on such impulses.

Recent research indicates psychopathy may be linked to structural brain abnormalities that produce emotional instability, impulsivity, aggression, a lack of empathy and remorse.

Others suggest a bio-chemical imbalance in the brain, genetic and environmental issues, or some combination of factors contribute to forming such menacing personalities.

There is no known cure, yet these people are capable of learning to fit in.

Psychopaths are remarkably successful in the business world, where they are dubbed Snakes in Suits.

Therapy might provide Bourque with some techniques to control her anger or more evil inclinations.

There is solace in history — women serial killers are exceptionally rare, as are violent women in general.

While there are roughly 12,000 or so men incarcerated in federal prisons, there are fewer than 600 women doing serious time in Canada.

Only time will tell if Bourque is capable of the self-control required to rein in her de Sade side.

But even under such extraordinary supervision, Bourque’s mother doesn’t want her back at home. That says a lot.

Let’s be honest — institutional assurances aside — if you had young kids or pets and Bourque moved into your neighbourhood, wouldn’t you be afraid?

I would be very afraid — especially when the probation order expires.

imulgrew@vancouversun.com