A man has been found guilty and sentenced to 13 years with time served for a sexual assault case over 25 years ago.
William Dale pled guilty to sexual assault and assault this morning at the Quinte Consolidated Courthouse in front of the Honourable Justice Robert B. Horton, who referred to the case as ‘an evil act against a stranger.’
Dale was identified as the culprit in this case through Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG). In this case, IGG was successfully used to identify Dale as the individual who left behind DNA in the brutal sexual assault that occurred in the pool area of the Ramada Inn in Belleville on July 9, 2000.
Assistant Crown Mike Lunski asked for 12-15 years in prison, while defence counsel John Wonnacot asked for 12 years, mentioning the defendant has pled guilty to his charges and spared the victim from having to testify against him in court.
Dale spoke to the court prior to his sentencing, saying he was ‘Certainly sorry for what I did’ and ‘I’ve been living in fear of myself ever since’.
“I am ashamed of what I did, I was drunk that day, I don’t know what made me do that,” said Dale.
“I did it. I’ve been reliving that day in my head for the last 26 years. I don’t know why I did it, but I did it. I’m sorry is all I can say, I’m really sorry for what I did.”
Dale was sentenced to 10 years for sexual assault and 3 years for assault, accumulating to 13 years incarcerated with time served since his arrest, resulting in 12 years and 4.5 months. He was arrested on April 16, 2025.
Prior to delivering his sentence, Honourable Justice Robert B. Horton said some impactful words.
“The acts of that day were extremely violent against a stranger, in a public location, carrying on her daily activities,” said Honourable Justice Robert B. Horton.
“This court does not often see truly evil individuals before them. Most people that come before this court are guilty of making bad decisions and there is a hope for rehabilitation. I can not say in this case that it was a bad decision. This was an evil act against a stranger and it will be sentenced accordingly,”
“Today, you (William Dale), will be sentenced and you will begin to serve that sentence. But, that too will end, and you’ll move on. Unfortunately, your victim will never have that opportunity. It will always remain. It was a ‘catch me if you can’ and only in the exception of Investigative Genetic Genealogy.”
Dale was not a first-time offender and previously served 15 months for sexual assault 35 years ago, which was strongly taken in consideration for his sentencing. The only mitigating factor Justice Horton stated was that he pled guilty to the charges, resulting in the victim not having to relive the events of that day.
Dale was also ordered a no communication order with the victim while incarcerated, a lifelong weapons prohibition, and a sample of Dale’s DNA was taken prior to him leaving the courthouse.
The victim did provide an impact statement. Her name will not be made public.
(HAILEY MACDONALD)
