The sicko Canadian Air Force commander who ruthlessly raped and murdered two women, and sexually assaulted several others, was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday.

Col. Russell Williams, a once-respected military leader and commanding officer of one of Canada's key bases, pled guilty to 88 separate charges involving his twisted sexual exploits, including two charges of first-degree murder.

"David Russell Williams is simply one of the worst offenders in Canadian history," said prosecutor Lee Burgess during his closing statement, which was applauded by people who attended the trial.

The 47-year-old admitted to breaking into the homes of dozens of women, including young girls, stealing lingerie, and in many cases sexually assaulting or raping them. His disturbing crimes took place over the course of several years.

"The tragic events surrounding Colonel Russell Williams stunned all Canadians and none more so than the members of the Canadian Forces," Gen. Walt Natynczyk, Canada's Chief of the Defense Staff, said in a statement.

Col. Williams pleaded guilty to 88 charges, including the murder of Jessica Lloyd (l.) and Cpl. Marie-France Comeau.

Williams, who is married, appeared apologetic and remorseful during his sentencing.

"I stand before you, your honor, indescribably ashamed," he told the court, according to Canada's CBC News. "I know that the crimes that I've committed have traumatized the families and friends of Marie-France Comeau and Jessica Elizabeth Lloyd."

Williams claimed he felt "profound desperate pain and sorrow as a result of what I've done... I deeply regret the harm I know I've caused."

Prosecutors argued during the trial that the extent of Williams' crimes showed how he began as a simple voyeur, but soon graduated into a perverted sex offender with twisted appetites for violence.

The military commander started by spying on women. He then started to break into their homes, stealing underwear and masturbating on the women's beds.

Col. Williams kept detailed records and photos of his booty, often burning some of his supply when he collected too much.

In two cases, he broke into the homes of young girls, such as a pair of 11-year-old twins and a 12-year-old girl. In the latter case, according to CBC News, he left her a chilling message on her computer after stealing her underwear: "Merci."

In many of these incidents, Williams would capture graphic photographs of his crimes and his behavior.

Williams meticulously organized his treasure trove of panties and bras in an elaborate filing system. He also photographed himself wearing the underwear. When he collected too many items, he would burn some to make more room.

Russell Williams
Col. Williams in photos he took of himself in lingerie he stole from the homes of women he stalked.

The colonel's perverted proclivities soon grew darker. Prosecutors said during the trial that in July 2009, he stood in the backyard of one victim for 30 minutes and watched her take a shower. He then stripped naked and broke into her home.

In another incident, he sexually assaulted a woman while she was in her bed. He kept her pinned down, stripped her of her clothes, then took photographs of her naked body.

As his crimes grew more twisted, his career continued to flourish. Williams, who was commanding officer of a "secret" military base in the Mideast called Camp Mirage from 2005 to 2006, was made commander of Canadian Forces Base Trenton in early 2009. He even took part in the Olympic torch ceremony for the Winter Games.

The two murders took place at the end of 2009 and beginning of 2010. The first was Cpl. Marie France Comeau, 38, who joined the Canadian Air Force when she was 26.

She went missing in November 2009, and her body was found on Nov. 25.