Victim asks former custodian convicted in London, Ont. kidnapping 'Why?'
Sentencing for Lawrence Thompson, 68, who was found guilty of kidnapping and sexual assault in connection with a four-year-old girl began Wednesday morning with victim impact statements.
Thompson was found guilty on four counts after the girl was grabbed from a north London intersection and touched inappropriately in May of 2018.
Thompson, a retired school custodian, was also convicted of abduction and touching for a sexual purpose.
Multiple members of the victim's family spoke at the sentencing hearing, describing the aftermath of what happened and addressing Thompson directly.
The child’s grandfather told the court Wednesday, “I’ll try not to get too emotional or angry." He said since the incident he has uncertainty surrounding the girl’s safety.
The child’s grandmother said, after this incident, “I have many sleepless nights.” She added, “If she’s out of my sight, I panic...public situations are stressful.”
The family has moved out of town since this incident, “due to safety issues and bad memories.”
The victim's older sister addressed Thompson saying, ”You should be in jail for a million years, you are so, so, so, so bad.” She went on, 'I have trouble sleeping because I am afraid you will come back to steal (her).”
The young victim also spoke, asking Thompson, ”I just want to know why you made the choice that you did?”
The victim's father said, ”I saw a change in my girls for the worse...they will never be the same.” He added, "It has ruined two young girls' innocence...I will never get back what I have lost.”
The victim’s mother told the court, “I have soothed and calmed my girls after numerous nightmares.”
When it comes to the victim, who was four at the time of the incident and is now seven, her mother said she is very careful about her clothes and what she wears.
“She fears that someone will see her body and do quote, ‘What the bad man did.”’
In closing her mother said, “I know my girls are strong...but in some way I know the events of that day will be with us forever.”
Toward the end of the proceedings, Thompson spoke up and told the court he wanted to say a few words, but Justice Alissa Mitchell said she would give him that opportunity when the sentencing hearing resumes on July 19.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.