Former London police officer sentenced for sexual assault

A former LPS officer found guilty of sexual assault was given a six-month conditional sentence. CTV’s Nick Paparella reports.

Following a trial in the fall, former London Police Const. Stephen Williams was found guilty of sexual assault in January.

At his sentencing hearing Wednesday at the London Courthouse, Williams, 47, showed little or no emotion.

During the trial, the court heard how Williams met a woman online.

Evidence showed that while on a date, Williams and the woman started kissing in his car and then things changed when he fondled her breasts and put his hands down her pants.

In her victim impact statement, the woman told the court, “His actions were forceful and intimidating, leaving me fearful for my own safety ... he never had good intentions towards me.”

The woman said it was the first time she had been out on a date in more than 15 years, “And it left me deeply distrustful of others. I was made to feel like an object.”

She added that since the incident, she has needed therapy and counselling, “This trauma has taken a toll on every aspect of my life. The fear at times has been so overwhelming that I struggle with suicidal ideations.”

Since getting into trouble with the law, Stephen Williams has lost his job as an officer and legally changed his name to Will Stephens.

He was originally charged with about a dozen sex-related offences in connection with three women dating back to 2021.

The court heard that Williams has sought counselling for sex addiction issues.

After a joint submission from the Crown and the defence, Justice George Orsini gave the one-time cop a six-month conditional sentence comprised of three months house arrest and three months with a curfew.

In addition, he will also have 12 months probation after the sentence is complete.

Williams is also required to wear an ankle monitor and will not be allowed to visit dating websites or apps.

When asked by the judge, Williams did not address the court, but before wrapping up the victim turned to him and said, “My hope in speaking out is to prevent anyone else to experience the same emotional devastation.”