Sentencing for Craigslist child sex abuser delayed

Rui DaSilva’s hearing was rescheduled because the judge was sick; back in court June 30

The sentencing of a Waterloo man who pleaded guilty last month to taking part in the sexual assault of a seven-year-old Hamilton girl whose repeated abuse was advertised on Craigslist has been delayed.

Rui DaSilva was scheduled for a sentencing hearing Thursday, however, the case has been delayed because the judge is sick.

DaSilva admitted to taking two middle-ofthe-night trips to the girl’s home Feb. 14 and April 27, 2016 after responding to the Craigslist ad allegedly posted by the girl’s mother’s boyfriend, accused of repeatedly assaulting the girl.

The case is part of Project Links, a sixmonth police investigation that began after the girl told her biological father what happened. He reported the abuse to the Catholic Children’s Aid Society, who called police.

A 49-year-old woman, Sonya Lucas, also pleaded guilty earlier this month to taking part in the abuse on one occasion when she travelled with DaSilva to Hamilton. She’s scheduled to return to court for a sentencing hearing June 15.

The boyfriend, a 34-year-old Hamilton man who cannot be named because it could identify the victim, faces 40 charges. His case remains before the courts.

The girl’s mother, a 39-year-old Hamilton woman who also can’t be named, was charged with failing to provide the necessities of life, but had her charge stayed.

A 50-year-old Hamilton man previously pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and making child pornography charges in relation to the case. John Gallagher was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison.

DaSilva returns to court to set a new date for sentencing June 30.