Sentencing postponed for former director of cancer support centre

Gerard Seguin, the former director of HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre who pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography, making child pornography and committing an offence to a minor, made a court appearance on Monday afternoon. 

Seguin, 53, appeared at his sentencing hearing in the Kitchener courthouse, represented by his lawyer, Bruce Ritter. 

Wearing glasses, navy blue track pants and a sweatshirt, Seguin read a letter to the court, detailing how he was attacked in custody two weeks ago and had his nose broken by others once they found out about the "nature of his charges" and "took it upon themselves to administer justice." 

Seguin said after being put in solitary confinement, he had "accepted Jesus" as his "saviour" and asked for forgiveness through "meditation and prayer." Seguin said he hopes to make amends to his family, friends and community once he's out of jail and hopes to continue the work he's been doing in counselling. 

His lawyer, Bruce Ritter, asked the judge for an 18 month sentence, stating that Seguin never had trouble with the law prior to this. 

Crown prosecutor Cynthia Jennison asked the court to consider "consecutive" sentencing and to look at the three counts as "distinct from each other." Jennison recommended a three-year sentence. 

Jennison referred to other cases, including the "R. v. Oliver" decision made by the English Court of Appeal in 2002, where the court categorized levels of child pornography on a scale, with Level One being "images depicting erotic posing with no sexual activity" and Level Five being "sadism or bestiality." 

Jennison said Seguin's written pornographic materials surpassed Level Five on the "Oliver scale," as they are the "worst" that the detective working on the case has ever seen. 

The judge said he needed time to reflect on the decision and review the lawyers' submissions. Seguin's sentencing has been postponed to Oct.18.