MOOSE JAW — Richard Dyke will spend 17 years in a federal jail for abusing 33 children in five communities over several decades, making his sentence the longest-ever in Saskatchewan for such crimes.
Dyke, 48, from Assiniboia, appeared in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on May 21, where he received his sentence — it equals 6,205 days — after previously pleading guilty to 10 charges of making child pornography, sexual interference and voyeurism. However, the court credited him with time served on remand, so he will have 14.7 years — or 5,390 days — left.
Moreover, Dyke must forfeit all the digital devices that contained child exploitation materials, will be on the national Sex Offender Information Registration Act for life, is prohibited for life from owning firearms and must provide a DNA sample.
However, Dyke will not be designated a dangerous offender or a long-term sexual offender.
Furthermore, he cannot be anywhere near a place where youths under age 16 are present, such as parks, pools, schools, daycares, playgrounds or community centres; he cannot obtain a job or volunteer position with authority over people under age 16; and he cannot contact anyone age 16 unless through a court-approved person.
While delivering his decision, Judge Brian Hendrickson said the sentence was “considerable” but also “appropriate.” Moreover, the sentence length did not bring the administration of justice into disrepute, while it sent a message of deterrence and denunciation.
After reading snippets of several victim impact statements, the judge said, “I hope, Mr. Dyke, that you understand the devastation that your criminal acts have caused. I hope you understand that your heinous actions have caused good parents to question themselves and innocent children to feel ashamed, isolated and embarrassed as if they were … (responsible) for your selfish and illegal acts.
“The emotional and psychological trauma and pain your actions the direct victims and their family members may never heal,” the judge continued.
Judge Henderson referred to the Criminal Code, which says the sentence “must be proportionate to the gravity of the offence.” Moreover, the sentence should be similar to ones imposed for similar conduct, while sentences for more than one sexual offence should be imposed consecutively — one following another.
The judge also referred to case law from Canada’s Supreme Court, which said sexual offences against children cause “profound harm” and “must be punished harshly.”
“The gravity of a sexual offence … must be assessed by considering the extent to which the victim’s personal autonomy and bodily and sexual integrity has been violated by taking into account the foreseeability and degree of psychological harm of the victim,” Judge Hendrickson said.
Meanwhile, the judge noted that aggravating (serious) points included Dyke sexually abused multiple children, including infants; the abuse occurred in five communities; his actions were physical; he abused some children multiple times over years; he abused his authority; he installed cameras in the bathroom; his actions affected families and caused “real and significant pain”; and he took pictures and stored them on a device.
Judge Hendrickson also referred to past provincial case law to support his decision to impose 17 years, saying a Saskatchewan superior court judge had imposed 15 years on a person for offences of producing child pornography and sexual interference.
“(Dyke’s) actions involved deception and considerable planning. He used cameras in the bathrooms of his house, where he must have known the young children … would have been in a state of undress,” the judge continued.
“The victims had every right to feel safe using the washroom. Mr. Dyke, for his own selfish reasons, violated the children’s privacy and bodily integrity.”
Judge Hendrickson added that he attempted to impose a sentence that was fit for all 10 counts and the totality of the overall situation.
MooseJawToday.com and SaskToday.com will have more stories with comments from the Crown prosecutor and the victim impact statements.
