Wayne Bernard's 'violent choices' net rapist 12-year sentence

A young woman born on the day her grandmother was brutally raped in 1995 stood beside her sobbing mother in a Calgary courtroomFriday during a sentencing hearing for the rapist.

The victim who was called Maureenduring the trial as there is a publication ban that protects the woman and her familydied from cancer a decade ago, but 56-year-old Wayne Bernard was sentenced to 12 years for kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon and robbery. He was found guilty of the charges in May.

"My blessed bliss was shattered, my joy of my new birth forever changed," said Maureen's daughter abouther own daughter's birth.

She thenturned to address Bernard.

"My child's birthday always had your dark negative cloud on it," Maureen's daughtersaid.

• 'She can finally rest in peace': Rape victim's daughters find some comfort in guilty verdict 22 years later

On March 28, 1995, Maureenwas kidnapped by Wayne Bernard, driven to the outskirts of Calgary and raped.

The case went cold and Maureen diedwithout ever knowing charges would eventually be laid after Det. Michelle Moffat got a hit from the DNA data bank.

"[Maureen] could not be here to face her attacker," said Court of Queen's Bench Justice Bruce Millar when delivering Bernard's sentence.

"But thanks to the DNA data bank and the tireless efforts of the Calgary Police Service cold case team especially Michelle Moffat the day of judgment for Mr. Bernard has arrived."

'You don't want to heal'

After raping her, Bernard kicked Maureen out of the van and drove away. Maureen flagged down a passing couple who pulled over, called 911 and then drove her home.

Her five daughters and other family members read their victim impact statements in a courtroom packed with the victim's relatives.

"They say time heals all wounds but her wounded soul and spirit was never healed," said one of Maureen's daughters.

"Wayne Bernard'sviolent choices kept mom prisoner," said anotherof the daughters.

Maureen's sister wanted to preform a traditional Mtis healing song but after opposition from Bernard, Millar decided not to allow it.

"I'm sad you didn't want to hear the healing song because it indicates to me you don't want to heal," she told Bernard during her victim impact statement.

Later, she performed the song outside the courthouse instead in a circle made up of two dozen friends and family.

Maureen was described by her family members as happy, strong and independent before she was raped. Afterwards, she gave up her dream of owning her own restaurant and lived in fear of being attacked again.

"She told me she felt gross and ugly," said Maureen's niece. "She said she could never recover from what happened to her.

"Many times she told me she wanted to die because her life was ruined."

Another relative called Bernard "cruel, disgusting [and]heartless."

"You degraded her;humiliated her as a woman in the most horrific way," she said. "What a weak individual."

'Lies in the newspapers about me'

Millar noted Bernard showed no remorse and accepted no responsibility.

When given the opportunity to address the court, Bernard denied raping Maureen and said he'd been used as a "scapegoat to solve a 20-year old cold case."

"I'm not happy with the stories that they're printing and the lies in the newspapers about me," said Bernard. "I could never imagine what a miscarriage of justice could feel like until now."

Defence lawyers Rebecca Snukal and Pawel Milczarek had proposed an eight-year sentence while prosecutorsPamela McCluskey and Samina Dhalla argued for a 12- to 16-year prison term. Bernard will get three-and-a-half years credit for the time he's already served.

"Wayne Bernard, hear my words; you may have brought [Maureen] down a few notches but you didn't break her," said one of Maureen'snieces.

"I hope your many deservedyears behind bars are as unforgiving to you as you were to her onMarch 28, 1995."