A Port Hardy man with a long criminal record has been sentenced to six years for a sexual assault which happened three years ago.
On October 20, 2021, Ronald Walkus forced his way into a woman’s apartment and forced sexual intercourse on her for half an hour. DNA evidence linked him to the incident. He was found guilty in February of break and enter and sexual assault.
In his reason for sentencing, Justice Jan Brongers says Walkus has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for most of his adult life, along with a history of abuse and neglect. Walkus was using alcohol and crack cocaine in the months before and after the incident. He was also convicted of another sexual assault only a few months prior to the October 20 incident, and is considered a risk to re-offend and relapse into drug and alcohol abuse.
Justice Brongers says Walkus needs to be removed from society for a time, and given the chance to go through full rehabilitation. He sentenced Walkus to six years, minus credit for time already spent in custody.
Walkus will serve approximately four years and nine months, is prohibited for life from possessing firearms, must comply with the sex offender registry, and provide a DNA sample.
