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
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.