Premier Ford responds to Welland mayor about ‘disgusting’ sex assault of child

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has responded to Welland Mayor Frank Campion’s call for reform to criminal laws and the bail system following the violent assault of a young girl in Welland by a registered sex offender last month.

Mayor Campion wrote to the premier and Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday for “reform and support” in the wake of the Aug. 30 incident in which Daniel Senecal, age 25, broke into the child’s family home during the night and sexually assaulted her.

The girl — who required hospitalization due to serious injuries — is under the age of five.

READ MORE: Welland mayor calls on province, feds for reform in wake of child sexual assault

Campion said that he received a letter from Ford on Sept. 10.

In the letter Ford wrote that he was “horrified to learn about the disgusting assault of an innocent, young child” and that “this scumbag deserves to rot in prison for the rest of their life.”

“Our justice system must do everything possible to prioritize the safety of the public over criminals,” said the premier.

Ford added that he will “continue to make the case for bail reform to Prime Minister Carney and his government” concerning criminal law and strengthening bail requirements.