— Pamela Roth
Possession of child pornography and assault charges against a 52-year-old petty officer with CFB Esquimalt have now been stayed by the Crown.
RCMP in Sooke began investigating the allegations on July 29 and laid charges the following month. The day after the investigation began, the accused — William Alan Goodfellow, turned himself in to police.
In Colwood Provincial Court Thursday, the possession of child pornography charge was stayed by the Crown. A stay of proceedings is usually directed when there is not a reasonable likelihood of a conviction. The charges, however, can be reinstated within one year.
Goodfellow said he feels relieved the whole thing is over and is looking forward to getting his life back to normal.
“It’s taken my professional career and run it into the dirt,” he said, adding he was placed on restrictions at work due to the nature of the charges.
“I’d like to get my life back together here and have people look at me in the proper light.”