ONTARIO DUO GETS 20 YEARS IN PRISON

Hamilton Bosses Had Role In Quebec War

Stadnick, Stockford `Expressed No Remorse'

MONTREAL--Two of Canada's most notorious Hells Angels bosses from
Ontario were each sentenced yesterday to 20 years in prison for their
role in Quebec's bloody biker war that claimed more than 150 lives.

Walter Stadnick, 51, and Donald Stockford, 42, both of Hamilton, were
convicted in June on five charges, including conspiracy to commit
murder, drug trafficking and gangsterism. Stadnick was earlier
acquitted of 13 first-degree murder charges and three counts of
attempted murder.

Lawyers for the pair said appeals of the convictions and sentences
were likely.

The men sat motionless as Quebec Superior Court Justice Jerry Zigman
read his sentence for nearly 30 minutes.

They are "hardened criminals who show little or no hope of being able
to straighten out their lives and cease participating in criminal
activities," Zigman said. "They are violent people who are a danger to
society. They have expressed no remorse for their acts."

Zigman said the men callously dealt huge quantities of drugs without
regard for "the vicious ravages of cocaine on our society."

Stadnick and Stockford, who were tried in English, were among the last
to face trial of those arrested during a massive Quebec police sweep
in 2001.

The men were founding members of the Nomads chapter of the Hells
Angels in Montreal, which controlled the drug trade and led an
eight-year bloody turf war with the rival Rock Machine.

With time already served, Stadnick has about 13 years left in his
sentence, while Stockford has about 13 1/2 years left. With time
served, the pair will have spent at least a decade behind bars before
any release. Similar cases suggest they are likely to serve two-thirds
of their sentences before release.

Crown prosecutor Randall Richmond, who sought 24-year sentences,
welcomed the judge's decision as vindication of efforts that have
resulted in 109 convictions over the past 3 1/2 years.

"The sentences that were given today -- 20 years for both accused --
are among the heaviest given to any people," he told reporters.

Stadnick and Stockford were heavily involved in biker activities in
British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario. Stadnick served as national
president of the Hells Angels for six years.

The judge rejected a defence request to grant the anglophone accused
extra credit for time served based in language difficulties they faced
in Quebec jail.

"The fact that the accused speak English certainly did not prevent
them from regularly dealing with the French-speaking Hells Angels and
Nomads colleagues over a period of many years," Zigman said.