'I fear destruction of lives': London man sentenced to 9 years in massive gun and drug bust
William Boyd, 47, is going to spend the next seven years and 133 days in a penitentiary.
The London, Ont. man involved in two of the city’s largest gun and drug busts was given a sentence of nine years with credit for time served by Justice Michael McArthur in a London courtroom Tuesday.
"This should go as a substantial reminder to other people in the community that tariffs are going up, and up, and up,” McArthur told the court.
Boyd was a partner in one of the city’s largest crystal methamphetamine seizures in 2020 with police turning up more than $462,000 worth of drugs, as well as a shotgun, 1,500 rounds of ammunition.
Earlier this year, Boyd was one of three Londoners charged after police seized more than $257,000 in drugs as well as firearms and ammunition after a search warrant at a Waterloo Street residence.
They seized a shotgun, more than 600 rounds of various ammunition as well as methamphetamine and fentanyl.
$257,000 in drugs and firearms seized in a Waterloo St. residence in London Ont. on March 31, 2022. (Source: London Police) Boyd was on bail from the first charge, at the time of the second charges.
In a joint submission, Boyd was credited for showing significant remorse as well as entering an early plea.
Before reading his sentence Justice McArthur told Boyd that drug offences in this particular case are pitting upper digits and lower double digits so “it isn’t going to be a great surprise”.
“Those substances including methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and hydromorphone on the higher end of drug scale have done irreparable damage to this community and members in it,” says McArthur.
Boyd was also given a DNA order, and is not to possess weapons under the criminal code for a lifetime.
McArthur then addressed Boyd one last time hoping he will learn his lesson with this sentence.
“It is very clear to me when I look at your record and its escalation there is only one last stop for you,” he told the court. “I fear destruction of lives”.
After sentencing, a tearful Boyd gave a long hug and kiss to a woman in the courtroom, before being taken back into custody.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.