Man sentenced to 15.5 years for kidnapping, sexually assaulting Edmonton girl
GRAPHIC WARNING: This article contains details readers may find disturbing.
Wade Stene, who admitted to kidnapping and sexually assaulting an eight-year-old Edmonton girl, was sentenced to 15.5 years behind bars Wednesday afternoon.
Justice Susan Richardson handed down the sentence after a two-day sentencing hearing.
Stene's sentence has around 12 years left after the judge gave him a credit of 1,313 days for time served.
Stene pleaded guilty earlier this year to pulling the young girl inside his vehicle and sexually assaulting her before dropping her back off in March 2020.
The girl cannot be named due to a publication ban protecting her identity.
Stene’s lawyer, Mark Jordan, had asked for a 10-year prison sentence, while Crown prosecutors, Keith Nicholls and Ioana Corabian, asked the judge for a 20-year sentence.
Jordan argued his sentencing recommendation was fair because Stene had a troubled past, no previous criminal record and was subject to emotional trauma from protests outside his home while he was released on bail in the victim’s neighbourhood in June 2020.
The Crown urged the judge to not consider those factors, in part because Stene’s actions were so severe that his release significantly impacted the community and the outrage that led to protests outside his home were “justified and predictable.”
The Crown also argued that the attack on the child was premeditated, noting Stene essentially had a “rape kit” on hand, pointing out how he was wearing a mask, had duct tape with him and had his seat down and covered with a blanket.
On Wednesday, the judge said Stene's crime was "planned, predatory and brazen."
"Of course he intended this to happen. He did this," Justice Richardson said.
"His sexual assault only stopped after his sexual gratification was complete."
In a statement to CTV News, the victim's family said, in part:
"It was difficult to hear the end result of the sentence that was handed down. No sentence would have satisfied us, no amount of time will fully heal the harm that has been inflicted."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
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.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.