A career criminal has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to three charges related to a 2023 pipe-bomb attack on Anne Street in Barrie.
William Downey, now 37, sat impassively but hung his head and apologized to the court as the latest convictions were added to his extensive criminal record that dates back almost two decades.
“You’re doing life by the instalment plan,” Ontario Court Madame Justice Angela McLeod told Downey as she passed sentence, peering down from the bench in her trademark red-rimmed glasses.
McLeod accepted a joint submission between the Crown and Downey’s defence counsel that called for a three-year sentence.
With credit for time served in pre-sentence custody, including enhancements for the harsh conditions at Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC) in Penetanguishene, Downey has roughly two years left to serve. He will be eligible for statutory release in about half that time.
“I’m sorry for what I’ve done,” said the bearded Downey, who had his hair closely cropped and was wearing a Popeye T-shirt, casual trousers and prison-issued slip-on running shoes.
“I know that this could have ended differently,” he added, repeating the words of Crown attorney Susie Safar, who had earlier told court it was fortunate that nobody was injured.
In the wee hours of Sept. 27, 2023, a homemade pipe bomb exploded on Anne Street, near the Highway 400 bridge, seriously damaging a Dodge Durango and sending shrapnel in multiple directions but otherwise caused no other damage.
Numerous people reported hearing the blast, including the mother of the truck owner, who resided at the same address on Anne Street.
Barrie firefighters and city police soon attended the scene, where it was soon determined to call in the tactical squad, who took the unusual step of shutting down Anne Street, including the bridge that spans Highway 400.
Another unexploded bomb was also found at the scene, but it was unclear whether it failed to detonate or was simply left undisturbed.
The owner of the Durango did not supply a victim impact statement to the court.
Court heard that police were able to extract a DNA sample from one of the devices, which was eventually connected to Downey, who had been required to provide a sample after one of his previous convictions.
He was picked up in May 2024 and has been in custody ever since.
No evidence about Downey’s motivation was offered at Friday’s sentencing hearing.
One of the charges he pleaded guilty to was being in possession of explosive materials, which was contrary to an earlier court order.
Downey seemed to have little or no connection to Barrie. He was picked up while driving between North York and Ajax, using a licence that had been expired for more than a decade.
Court heard evidence that he has battled an addiction to crystal meth and had recently lost his mother to a fentanyl overdose.
Downey's lawyer told court that he planned to serve his time and then reside in Pickering with his father.
