Police reopen sexual assault case from 1980

Halton Regional Police have reopened the investigation into a sexual assault case that dates back more than 30 years.

CHCH spoke with with the victim, who says she wants to share her story.

On December 15th, 1980, Mary, then 31 years old, was out for an evening stroll in the Ontario Street area when a visibly drunk man began to follow her. He asked her questions, then he eventually threw his arm around her shoulder.

Mary remembers the night well, and say, “we were about a block and a half away from a variety store… so I thought well I’ll just walk along, I won’t get him angry. I’ll go in the variety store and get rid of him.” However, the convenience store was closed. Mary then started walking to her nearby home, but her attacker became even more aggressive.

Mary says, “at that point he said, ‘don’t look at me, don’t make any noise, lets go back here where nobody can see us.'”

The area of Ontario Street has been converted into a townhouse complex, but in 1980 a single detached home stood on the lot. About 15 metres behind the house there was a garage. That’s where Mary was sexually assaulted. She say, “he had me by my hair, which was longer then, and repeatedly smashed my head against the garage wall.”

Mary then went to the hospital, but when police arrived, one officer was dismissive. Mary says, “he made comments such ‘as oh it’s christmas time’ and ‘you’re single’… essentially saying ‘you’re a dog and this is the only way you could get lucky at Christmas time.’

A report was filed, and a composite sketch was made but never released. Years later, Mary learned detectives had been taken off the case almost immediately. After her parents died a few years ago, mary decided to once again push police to find her attacker. This time, they’ve not only released the original sketch, but also one that has been aged to the present day.

Halton Regional Police Sergeant Dave Cross says there is an ongoing review with all historical files, and “in this particular case, obviously the victim is motivated, as are police, to find the offender that’s responsible.”

While Mary’s focus is on finding her attacker, she hopes that by coming forward she’ll inspire other victims of unsolved sexual assault cases to keep fighting.