By TRACY McLAUGHLIN, QMI Agency
Daniel Gyselinck, 58, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography as well as making child pornography after he copied it from Limewire onto thousands of CDs. (QMI File)
A Barrie Ont., man who played the role of Santa in the city’s annual Christmas parades was sent to jail yesterday for possession of thousands of images and movies of child pornography.
Daniel Gyselinck, 58, stood in the prisoner’s box with a snowy white beard and long white hair and was taken away in handcuffs after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography as well as making child pornography after he copied it from Limewire onto thousands of CDs.
He was sentenced to 40 months in jail, which was reduced to 14 months after giving him credit for the past 13 months he has spent in jail on a two-for-one basis.
The judge also ordered three years of probation following his release with several conditions, including an order that Gyselinck not be allowed to be around children and he is not allowed to own or wear a Santa suit.
When police knocked on his door last June, they found his shelves lined with stacks of the CD’s filled with child porn, as well as thousands of dolls, and Christmas trinkets.
A police video tape played in court showed Gyselinck’s apartment shelves cluttered with Christmas trinkets, stuffed toys, little snowmen, gingerbread houses, a Christmas tree and a Santa suit. In his bathroom hung a Harry Potter shower curtain and a towel cabinet had a red Christmas wrapping door.
Some of the child porn was played in court, one video showed a young girl being raped by men. Another showed a small child in a bathtub being encouraged to show her genitals.
“They showed sickening images of young children engaging in a variety of sexual conduct, including apparent intercourse with male adults,” said Justice James Crawford.
Court heard how Gyselinck worked as a dishwasher, and often played the role of Santa while at work. Otherwise he lived as a recluse, and spent much of his time in his apartment, where he admitted to police that he enters into a “dark world” as soon as he sits in front of his computer.
“His adoption of the Santa Claus persona strikes at the heart of the one most treasured phenomena of childhood in Canadian society and regretfully may call into question the motives of true community-minded individuals who act as Santa Claus at Christmas to bring joy to children,” said the judge.
In a presentence report completed by a probation officer, notations were made by Gyselinck's coworkers who said he had a “sinister side,” and was often angry while an ex-wife described him as sexually abusive.
He noted that child pornography can fuel the fantasies of would-be pedophiles and has an effect of reducing inhibitions, numbing the conscience and making the abnormal seem normal.
In court the judge warned others who might consider delving into child pornography:
“Those who engage in the victimization of children through child pornography should take note – the sad tale of Mr. Gyselinck stands as a stark reminder of the fate which may await you,” warned the judge. “Police forces around the world now work cooperatively to confront this menace to young people.”
The judge noted police, the courts and the media all have a role in conveying this warning to society “in which three still may be some who view child pornography as a victimless crime.”
