A man who lit a homeless woman on fire in Saskatchewan is going back to prison.
Leslie Black was sentenced to 16 years for attempted murder in the 2014 bludgeoning, burning and sexual assault of Marlene Bird in Prince Albert, Sask.
The woman’s injuries resulted in her losing much of her eyesight and having both of her legs amputated.
Black was given statutory release earlier this year on the conditions that he live in a halfway house, not consume drugs or alcohol, and follow a treatment plan and psychological counselling.
The Parole Board of Canada says the 39-year-old violated the conditions by using drugs the morning he was released from prison and knowingly associating with an active drug user.
He also didn’t tell the board about women he met up with for sex or that he had a girlfriend in a different city.
“The board finds the speed at which you returned to old patterns of behaviour consistent with your risk to reoffend particularly aggravating,” it said in its decision released Tuesday.
“Consequently, the board concludes that you will, by reoffending before the expiration of your sentence, present an undue risk to society. Therefore, the board revokes your statutory release.”
Court heard Black set Bird’s shirt on fire before leaving to get candy at a store. He walked past her again as she was still on fire but ignored her.
Bird was found several hours later with burns so severe that her facial bones were exposed.
After receiving credit for time already served, Black was sentenced to a little more than 11 years.
The law requires federal offenders who have served two-thirds of a sentence to be freed under statutory release and spend the remainder of their sentence under supervision.
The parole board had said Black did not behave or try to improve himself while behind bars, getting involved with violence and drugs. He was also reported to have thrown objects at staff and had in his possession a handmade weapon.
The special conditions for Black’s statutory release were to protect the public, the board said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2025.
Aaron Sousa, The Canadian Press
