'He will never be a free man': Thomas to spend at least 16 years behind bars

Denise Bourdeau, 39, is seen in this undated family handout photo provided by police.

In front of grieving family members, Denise Bourdeau’s killer was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison – with no chance of parole until he’s spent 16 years behind bars.

The life sentence for David Thomas was automatic, following his conviction on second-degree murder in the 2007 death of his girlfriend.

All that remained to be determined was parole eligibility – which Justice David Broad was able to set at anywhere between 10 and 25 years.

Based on factors including Thomas’ “persistent violent and abusive behaviour” toward Bourdeau, his repeated decisions to blame that behaviour on Bourdeau herself, and his actions after her death, Broad opted for a number near the middle of that range.

Bourdeau’s body was found along the banks of the Grand River in 2007, months after she had disappeared.

She had last been seen alive at a New Year’s party – a party which, multiple witnesses testified at trial, she left with Thomas.

In the time between Bourdeau’s disappearance and the discovery of her remains, Thomas had repeatedly told Bourdeau’s family that he didn’t know where she was.

Following his arrest in 2011, he pleaded not guilty to murder.

In June, at his last court appearance prior to Wednesday’s, he maintained that he had not killed Bourdeau.

While delivering the sentence, Broad said that Thomas’ offence was made worse because it was committed against his girlfriend – somebody who should have been able to trust him.

“What Ms. Bourdeau was looking for in her relationship with David Thomas was love, acceptance and security,” he said.

“What she got was physical violence, emotional abuse and ultimately death at his hands.”

Thomas’ lawyer had recommended that Thomas serve 13 or 14 years before being able to apply for parole, while Crown prosecutors were seeking 17 years.

Family members had been hoping for a longer sentence – at least 20 years according to Jessica Haner, Bourdeau’s daughter.

“He’s already served four, so we know that … in 12 years, he will be eligible for parole,” Haner said outside court, admitting to “a little bit of disappointment” in the judge’s decision.

Most jurors had also recommended that Thomas serve at least 20 years before being eligible for parole.

Broad said that he took their thoughts into account in coming to his decision – and reminded them, as well as Bourdeau’s family, that Thomas being eligible for parole is not the same as him being granted it.

“Life imprisonment for David Thomas means life imprisonment even if he is released into the community subject to conditions,” Broad said.

“He will never be a free man.”