'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
BREAKING Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.