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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.