Former Sydney, N.S. Wendy’s manager gets prison sentence for sexual assault
A former fast-food restaurant supervisor in Cape Breton has been sentenced to two years in prison and three years probation for sexually assaulting five former female employees.
The judge rejected a lesser joint recommendation initially made by the Crown and defense.
David Macdonald, 25, who worked at Wendy's on Welton Street in Sydney, N.S., had previously pleaded guilty to the assaults, which occurred over a period of about a year when he was a shift supervisor at the restaurant.
Two of the victims were in court Friday as the decision was read out loud by the judge.
"I'm sure they're relieved to have this finally dealt with, so they can move on. This is something they'll obviously be dealing with for some time to come," said Crown Attorney Peter Harrison.
According to the agreed statement of facts, Macdonald would follow the female workers into rooms with no cameras, asking for hugs and placing his hands on their buttocks and breasts.
One of the victims previously told CTV she was 16 years old when these incidents first started happening.
"This sets a very high custodial floor for first-time offenders, even young first-time offenders who abuse a position of trust to commit sexual assaults," said Harrison.
In making his decision, Judge Dan MacRury said no parent should have to worry when dropping their child off at work that their manager is going to sexually assault them.
MacRury rejected a joint sentencing recommendation of 12 months made by the Crown and defense.
The judge said reading the victim impact statements showed the profound effect Macdonald had on the former female employees.
One victim wrote "Speaking about these incidents makes me embarrassed and ashamed. My mental health began to diminish and it became physically exhausting to get out of bed and complete each day."
Another victim said, "Because of what you did, I now have trust issues with men. I don't open up to many people because I don't want to experience anything like what you did to me again. It changed my whole life and the way I view myself."
MacRury acknowledged that Macdonald pleaded guilty to all counts, he was remorseful and had no prior record.
CTV reached out to the lawyer representing the owner of this Wendy's in Sydney, N.S., who had no comment on Friday's sentencing.
Two women have filed lawsuits alleging the company, T-Toy enterprises Ltd., failed to protect them from a supervisor. Those allegations have not been tested in court.
Meanwhile, Macdonald will also be a registered sex offender for life.
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.