Man sentenced to 17 years for child abuse in Saskatchewan communities

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This article was published 21/05/2025 (309 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MOOSE JAW – A judge sentenced a man to 17 years Wednesday for sexually touching children and making child pornography in several Saskatchewan communities.

Richard Dyke is to serve just over 14 years, after taking into account the time he has already spent in custody.

“Your heinous actions have caused good parents to question themselves and innocent children to feel ashamed, isolated and embarrassed as if they wore any responsibility for your selfish and illegal acts,” Judge Brian Hendrickson said in a Moose Jaw courtroom.

Dyke, 48, earlier pleaded guilty to 10 offences dating back to 2005 that involved 33 victims. The Crown stayed 73 other charges.

Court heard the children were as young as 18 months old and that Dyke came into contact with some of the victims at a home-based daycare operated by his wife.

Dyke touched some of the victims’ genitals and took photos of them, storing them on his personal electronic device, court heard. He also installed small hidden cameras in one of the daycare’s bathrooms.

Two victim impact statements were read in court.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust people the way I once did,” said one statement. “I’m left in a state of paranoia. I have a constant fear of being watched no matter where I go or what I do. I’m always checking to see if there’s cameras or if I’m being recorded.”

Another statement was from a boy who said he grew up feeling anger and shame.

“This will always be a part of me and I will forever live with the memory of what happened in the past,” he said. “But I can’t change the past, only live in the present and create my future.”

The judge also read an excerpt of a statement from a mother who questioned her parenting.

“This has caused so much pain and damage that I’m not sure if I can ever be fully confident in my abilities again.”

The sentence is believed to be Saskatchewan’s longest for child sex crimes, Crown prosecutor Stephen Yusuff told reporters outside court.

“We believe that it holds Mr. Dyke responsible in a serious way for his actions,” he said. 

Yusuff thanked the victims for going to police. “Without their co-operation with the police, we wouldn’t be here today holding Mr. Dyke accountable for his actions.”

Both the Crown and defence proposed Dyke receive a 17-year sentence, which Hendrickson said was acceptable. 

The judge said aggravating factors included that many of the victims were young, some were abused multiple times and that Dyke should have foreseen the lasting mental damage of his abuse. 

Mitigating factors included Dyke did not have a previous criminal record and entered guilty pleas, the judge added.  

Upon his release, Dyke is to not have contact with the victims and cannot go to schools, playgrounds, swimming pools or daycares. He will also be listed as a registered sex offender for life.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025.