The Ontario Review Board (ORB) has determined that an 84-year-old man, Denis Russell McCullough, who uses a wheelchair and suffers from lung cancer and heart problems, still poses a significant risk of physical and sexual aggression. McCullough was declared a dangerous offender after a series of violent crimes dating back to the late 1970s.
Background of the Case
In July 1980, McCullough was found not guilty by reason of insanity for kidnapping a hitchhiking couple in 1979 and attempting to stab the man to death. He later escaped from Kingston Psychiatric Hospital in 1992 and abducted a 16-year-old girl, whom he confined, sexually assaulted, and threatened to kill. Following his escape, McCullough was declared a dangerous offender and sentenced to an indeterminate period of detention in a penitentiary in October 1994.
Recent ORB Decision
The ORB's May 26 decision noted that despite his age and physical limitations, McCullough "is still able to ambulate and engage in sexual activity and physical altercations." At his recent hearing, McCullough testified via video link from the Regional Treatment Centre at Bath Institution, where he was transferred in April 2026 after an investigation into sexual misconduct at Millhaven Institution.
During the hearing, McCullough stated that he has lung cancer and heart problems and finds walking difficult. When asked if he thought he posed a risk to public safety, he replied, "If I see a person as a danger to me, then I’m a risk… it doesn’t matter who you are." He denied being an aggressor and claimed he had never raped anyone, stating he would never touch a woman, and expressed confusion about why he was still in custody.
History of Violence
McCullough was paroled in Canada in May 1978 after a crime spree in the United States but absconded 15 months later. While unlawfully at large and traveling to the west coast, he picked up a male and a female hitchhiker. During the trip, he stabbed the male several times. The female victim helped stitch the wounds, and McCullough tied the male to a tree in British Columbia before the victim freed himself. Police arrested McCullough shortly after.
While a patient at Kingston Psychiatric Hospital, McCullough stashed provisions outside the hospital. On June 6, 1992, he kidnapped a teenage girl and kept her for many hours, forcing her to walk from Kingston to the Napanee area. During the abduction, he sexually assaulted her—a fact he now denies.
Conclusion
The ORB concluded that McCullough has not "aged out" of posing a risk, emphasizing that his physical condition does not eliminate his potential for aggression. The board's decision ensures he remains in custody, as he continues to be considered a danger to the public.
