Former Canadian air base chief gets life for murders

THE former commander of Canada’s largest air force base said yesterday he deeply regretted his “despicable crimes”, moments before he was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years for murdering two women.

Col Russell Williams pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, two sexual assaults and 82 counts of breaking-and-entering, during which he took hundreds of underwear from women and young girls.

Ontario judge Robert F Scott sentenced Williams after the disgraced former elite pilot tearfully addressed the court, lamenting his crimes and the pain he has caused the victims and their families and friends.