DNA test in historical case results in attempted murder, aggravated assault charges
A man was charged with attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault against a child in a historical case, the Edmonton Police Service said on Monday.
After various attempts "throughout the years," the EPS Historical Crimes Section resubmitted the victim's clothing for a DNA test in 2020 and got a match.
On Friday, June 18, Harold William Gairdner, 62, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, sexual interference, abduction of a person under the age of 14, and choke, strangle or suffocation to overcome resistance to commit an offence, EPS said.
"This was the first time the suspect’s name had ever come up throughout our investigation," said Staff Sgt. James Vanderland with the EPS Historical Crimes Section and Missing Persons Unit.
"This terrible act of violence was committed against a vulnerable child in our community. The recent advancements made in DNA technology are providing hope for both police and victims of serious crimes like this one that justice can still be served...even many years later."
A publication ban is in effect on details that could identify the victim, including the date and location of the crime, EPS said.
Gairdner is scheduled to appear in court on June 24.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
BREAKING McGill University seeks emergency injunction to remove pro-Palestinian encampment from campus
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.