Canadian colonel gets life in prison for murders, rapes

A Canadian court yesterday sentenced Colonel Russell Williams to two consecutive life sentences for a spree of murders, sexual assaults and burglaries of women’s homes.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Scott described Col Williams as a “sick and dangerous man” in handing down the strongest sentence available under Canadian law.

Col Williams will not be eligible for parole for 25 years.

Police arrested Col Williams in February for the disappearance and death of 27-year-old woman, last heard from the previous month.

He was later charged with the November 2009 murder of a female corporal under his command at the Trenton military base, as well as in two home invasions in which women were confined and sexually assaulted, and an additional 82 counts of break-and-enter and attempted break-and-enter in Ottawa, Belleville and Tweed.

A stash of women’s undergarments taken by police from Col Williams’ Ottawa residence was linked to the burglaries near his home and job.

Police also seized hundreds of photographs and videos of the sexual assaults and murders from his home computer.

At sentencing, Col Williams sobbed as he apologised for the pain and suffering he caused, for “violating people’s intimate privacy” and betraying his family, friends and military colleagues.

“Your Honour, I stand before you ashamed of the crimes I’ve committed,” he said. “I deeply regret what I’ve done, and the harm I’ve caused with these despicable crimes.”

Outside the courthouse, Andy Lloyd, the brother of one of Col Williams’ victims, said the sentence was “deserved.” “As long as he dies in jail, I’m happy,” he said.

Prosecutor Lee Burgess said Col Williams “is one of the worst offenders in Canadian history.”

The SUV Col Williams used to stalk his victims and the lingerie he collected during his crime spree will be destroyed, said police.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, speaking to reporters in Saint John’s, Newfoundland, meanwhile, expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and the Canadian military which has been “very badly wounded and betrayed” by this “horrific series of events.”

Col Williams, 47, a married pilot who once flew the jet used to ferry Canada’s prime minister as well as the British royal family on a visit, pleaded guilty to the 86 crimes on Monday, after cooperating with police in their investigation.