Sentencing Gordon Stuckless

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Justice Mara Greene said that between 1965-1995 Gordon Stuckless preyed on young boys living in single-mother homes, he volunteered at fairs, hockey rinks and worked as a teacher’s assistant so that he could get close to his victims. So when she sentenced the former Maple Leafs Gardens employee to six years in prison, survivors in the courthouse erupted in anger.

In sentencing Stuckless to six years Justice Greene says she took into account the fact that after serving four out of six years in a previous sentence, Stuckless made efforts to change his life, including voluntarily undergoing chemical castration.

“This man took what the court of appeals said in 1997 and he’s one of the only people in Canada to do this which is why it’s so unique. He turned his life around, he made a vow never to harm another hair on a child’s head,” says Ari Goldkind, Stuckless’ defence lawyer.

When Gordon Stuckless was handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom, survivors, who were clearly disappointed and frustrated,yelled at the 67-year old, swearing at him and the disappointment poured out to in front of old City Hall.

Lloyd Forde first met Stuckless when he was seven at a nearby community skating rink, he said Stuckless gained access to him by befriending his mother. After that, Stuckless ruined more than just his childhood.

Now that their attacker is behind bars, many of the survivors, most in their fifties, will look to move on. “I have a beautiful daughter, two beautiful grandkids and I’m happy, finally,” says Lloyd.