Santa actor guilty of sex assault

By SUN MEDIA

PETERBOROUGH -- A 62-year-old man was sentenced yesterday for sexually assaulting young girls at his business, Santa's Farm.

Dave Rome, known to many as "Santa," pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two teenage girls on his farm between February and June.

Rome was sentenced to 134 days time served and one year of probation.

He's also to attend counselling and sexual assault rehabilitation courses.

Crown attorney Brian Gilkinson told court Rome grabbed one girl on the buttocks on several occasions and gave another girl a kiss on the mouth.

Rome, who has run Santa's Farm since 1998, says he's going to have to close the business.

On its website, Santa's Farm is described as a place where you can "listen to the laughter and excited chatter of young and old children who are absolutely transfixed by their surroundings."

Gilkinson said Rome would discuss the girls' breast sizes, make inappropriate remarks about oral sex and play "hugging" games.

Police arrested Rome on his farm June 17 after the two victims complained to a guidance counsellor.

"I'm very sorry," Rome said to Judge Robert Graydon. "When we opened up the farm we did it in the memory of my niece. We thought we were doing something good for the world."

Sphere: Related Content