Man sentenced to three years in prison on child porn charges
KITCHENER — Gerard Seguin appeared to be having a panic attack, bending over in the prisoner’s box, breathing heavily and nearly falling over as guards escorted him out of the courtroom.
This after Justice Thomas McKay sentenced him to three years in prison on child pornography charges Thursday.
McKay said the written material found on Seguin’s computer was the worst an officer with Waterloo Regional Police Service had ever seen.
“The written material is vile and would shock any member of the public,” McKay said.
McKay described Seguin’s activities as “deeply disturbing” and “morally reprehensible.”
Seguin was the executive director of the local HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre before leaving in February 2016.
McKay also ordered Seguin, 53, to serve three years probation. Seguin received credit for time already spent in jail so the remainder of his sentence is 20 months, 17 days.
Seguin cannot be with someone under 16 except for his young son. He is prohibited from using the internet — except for work — and banned from chat groups and discussion forums. His name is on a sex offender registry for life.
In his judgment, McKay said in chat logs Seguin spoke of his interest in sexually abusing children, and raping and killing them.
He described himself as a pervert and pedophile. He boasted about having “drugaddicted prostitutes abuse children,” McKay said.
McKay said Seguin said he wanted to rape his nieces and posted real photographs of them, saying he had stolen their underwear.
In one chat group, Seguin spoke with a mother about sexually abusing her children, the judge said.
Seguin’s internet activities surfaced when Yahoo reported the child pornographic materials to a U.S. child exploitation centre. It was forwarded to Canada and the IP address sent to local police.
Seguin was first arrested in July 2017 on one charge of possession of child pornography. He was released on bail and arrested later and charged with additional pornography charges.
Police found 47 images and two videos. Last month, he pleaded guilty to possessing and making child pornography, and counselling others online to commit an offence.
In a court appearance earlier this week, Seguin apologized and said he was remorseful.
He said God had entered his heart and he was able to forgive himself.
His defence lawyer, Bruce Ritter, said there was no evidence to show Seguin ever intended to carry out his fantasies.