Latest news with #Zielke
Hamilton Spectator
26-06-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
‘No sentence will ever be enough': Former Milton teacher sentenced on child porn, voyeurism and luring charges
A former Milton teacher who made children as young as eight years old perform degrading sexual acts in video chats he recorded will serve another 2.3 years in custody. Justin Zielke received a prison sentence of six years from Justice Allan Maclure during a hearing, which took place in a Milton court on June 20. However, when credit is given for pretrial custody, the amount of time Zielke has left to serve falls to 2.3 years. Zielke, who also recorded disturbing videos of female students at the school he taught at, pleaded guilty to charges of voyeurism, making child pornography, possessing child pornography and four counts of luring on Oct. 20, 2024. In addition to the prison sentence, Zielke faces a lifetime prohibition order which restricts him from attending public parks, swimming areas and community centres when those under the age of 16 are present. He is also restricted from any kind of employment or volunteer work that would put him in a position of authority or trust for those aged 16 or younger. Another court order prohibits Zielke from communicating with someone under the age of 16 unless it is in the presence of someone 18 years of age or older who is aware of his criminal history. He was also required to submit a sample of his DNA to the court and register as a sex offender for 20 years. 'The power someone like this can hold over a child's life is devastating. I live every day wishing this man had never entered my life,' said one victim, whose name is protected by a publication ban. 'The damage he's caused not just to me, but to so many others, is immeasurable. No sentence will ever be enough to undo the harm he has done.' The Ancaster man was arrested while teaching at Milton's St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Elementary School in January 2023. He had previously taught at Oakville's St. Vincent Catholic Elementary School. A search warrant executed at Zielke's home resulted in the discovery of thousands of videos and hundreds of pictures that met the criteria to be classified as child pornography. According to an agreed statement of facts submitted to the court, multiple videos showed Zielke directing children to perform sexual acts for which he would reward them with various gift cards, often for a popular children's game called 'Roblox.' Assistant Crown attorney Harutyun Apel previously argued a sentence approaching 10 years in prison for Zielke would be appropriate. He said this sentence was warranted due to the number of victims, four of whom have been identified; the young ages of the victims; Zielke's use of extortion and threats to get his victims to comply with his demands; and his impact on the victims. Apel described one video chat where Zielke repeatedly became angry with an 8-year-old girl when she expressed disgust and discomfort over the things he was asking her to do. At one point, Zielke told the child he would call police and have her father arrested if she did not comply. In another incident, Apel said Zielke contacted a former student online, pretending to be a teenage boy. He said that after some time, Zielke convinced this 14-year-old girl to send him inappropriate photos and videos of herself. When the girl denied further video requests, Zielke threatened to send the previous videos to everyone she knew. He then named the victim's brother and said he would kill him and kill her if she did not do what she was told. Defence attorney Alison Craig argued Zielke should be sentenced to time served or, failing that, one year at the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre in Brockville. Craig pointed out Zielke had no previous criminal record and pleaded guilty, thereby preventing a trial that would have required his victims to testify. She said he never actually touched any of his victims. The defence attorney also said that since his arrest, Zielke has experienced considerable abuse and harassment, particularly at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex, from both guards and other inmates. Craig noted Halton police have actually charged one guard with assaulting Zielke. Zielke's treatment at Maplehurst is not linked or connected to an alleged act of collective punishment by guards in December 2023 which is currently under investigation by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the subject of multiple lawsuits . Maclure described the acts Zielke had children perform in his videos as 'sickening.' He said Zielke understood what he was doing and noted he knowingly breached the community's trust that was placed in him to care for children. Maclure also said Zielke had betrayed the trust of his students and noted that from reading the victim impact statements , it was clear Zielke's actions have had a devastating impact. That said, the judge said he found Zielke's account of the poor conditions he has experienced in prison 'disturbing' and said this would also come to play in determining a proper sentence. Maclure would ultimately sentence Zielke to six years in custody. In the wake of the sentencing, one of Zielke's victims is calling on the others to heal. 'I refuse to let him take anything more from me,' she said. 'And no victim of his should ever feel like they have to carry the weight of his actions. You did nothing wrong and deserve to live the rest of your life and give him nothing else.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Yuill Family Foundation Makes Transformational $5 Million Gift to Improve Cardiac Care in Medicine Hat
MEDICINE HAT, AB, June 23, 2025 /CNW/ - Cardiac care in Southeastern Alberta is set for a major transformation thanks to a landmark $5 million donation from Bill and Elizabeth Yuill through the Yuill Family Foundation. Announced at a celebration hosted by the Medicine Hat Health Foundation, the gift marks a pivotal moment in the Bringing Hearts Home campaign—a regional initiative to enhance heart health across Southern Alberta. This visionary donation will help bring to life the Southern Alberta Centre for Cardiac Excellence, led by Dr. Sayeh Zielke, Chair of the Southern Alberta Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet. The Centre is part of a collaborative campaign driven by the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, in partnership with local health foundations and Alberta Health Services. "When we learned that cardiac mortality in our region is 26.6% higher than the rest of Alberta, we knew we had to act," said Bill Yuill. "We were moved by the clarity of the vision and Dr. Zielke's commitment to meaningful change." Expanding Access to Local Cardiac CareThe Yuill family's gift will directly benefit Medicine Hat by improving access to both urgent and preventive cardiac services. Funded enhancements include: A state-of-the-art Echocardiography Lab and Cardiac CT scanner, reducing the need for patients to travel for diagnostics Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) beds and equipment to treat critically ill patients locally "Families will now have access to enhanced cardiac care right here in Medicine Hat," said Dr. Zielke. "This generous gift allows us to respond more quickly to emergencies and support patients in their recovery at home, where they feel strongest." Focusing on PreventionOf the $5 million, $2 million is designated for new community-based initiatives in cardiac prevention. These efforts will support early detection, education, and lifestyle changes to help reduce the risk of heart disease in our region."Bill and Elizabeth understood that great cardiac care begins long before a crisis," Dr. Zielke added. "This investment will help people live longer, healthier lives." A Unified Regional EffortThe project is being guided by the Southern Alberta Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet, a regional body that includes the Mayors of Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, physicians, and prominent leaders in business, agriculture, education, and emergency services. Their collective leadership ensures this initiative reflects community priorities across the South Zone. "This is an extraordinary moment for our community," said Heather Bach, Executive Director of the Medicine Hat Health Foundation. "The Yuill family's generosity will leave a lasting legacy of better health for generations."Rooted in a long-standing tradition of philanthropy, the Yuill family's gift represents not only an investment in hospital infrastructure—but a catalyst for innovation and long-term health system transformation. "Sometimes you get the chance to help start something that will matter for generations," said Mr. Yuill. "We believe this is one of those moments." To learn more about the Bringing Hearts Home Campaign, visit: SOURCE Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
23-06-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Yuill Family Foundation Makes Transformational $5 Million Gift to Improve Cardiac Care in Medicine Hat
MEDICINE HAT, AB, June 23, 2025 /CNW/ - Cardiac care in Southeastern Alberta is set for a major transformation thanks to a landmark $5 million donation from Bill and Elizabeth Yuill through the Yuill Family Foundation. Announced at a celebration hosted by the Medicine Hat Health Foundation, the gift marks a pivotal moment in the Bringing Hearts Home campaign—a regional initiative to enhance heart health across Southern Alberta. This visionary donation will help bring to life the Southern Alberta Centre for Cardiac Excellence, led by Dr. Sayeh Zielke, Chair of the Southern Alberta Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet. The Centre is part of a collaborative campaign driven by the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, in partnership with local health foundations and Alberta Health Services. "When we learned that cardiac mortality in our region is 26.6% higher than the rest of Alberta, we knew we had to act," said Bill Yuill. "We were moved by the clarity of the vision and Dr. Zielke's commitment to meaningful change." Expanding Access to Local Cardiac Care The Yuill family's gift will directly benefit Medicine Hat by improving access to both urgent and preventive cardiac services. Funded enhancements include: A state-of-the-art Echocardiography Lab and Cardiac CT scanner, reducing the need for patients to travel for diagnostics Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) beds and equipment to treat critically ill patients locally "Families will now have access to enhanced cardiac care right here in Medicine Hat," said Dr. Zielke. "This generous gift allows us to respond more quickly to emergencies and support patients in their recovery at home, where they feel strongest." Focusing on Prevention Of the $5 million, $2 million is designated for new community-based initiatives in cardiac prevention. These efforts will support early detection, education, and lifestyle changes to help reduce the risk of heart disease in our region. "Bill and Elizabeth understood that great cardiac care begins long before a crisis," Dr. Zielke added. "This investment will help people live longer, healthier lives." A Unified Regional Effort The project is being guided by the Southern Alberta Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet, a regional body that includes the Mayors of Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, physicians, and prominent leaders in business, agriculture, education, and emergency services. Their collective leadership ensures this initiative reflects community priorities across the South Zone. "This is an extraordinary moment for our community," said Heather Bach, Executive Director of the Medicine Hat Health Foundation. "The Yuill family's generosity will leave a lasting legacy of better health for generations." Rooted in a long-standing tradition of philanthropy, the Yuill family's gift represents not only an investment in hospital infrastructure—but a catalyst for innovation and long-term health system transformation. "Sometimes you get the chance to help start something that will matter for generations," said Mr. Yuill. "We believe this is one of those moments." To learn more about the Bringing Hearts Home Campaign, visit: SOURCE Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation
CBC
11-04-2025
- CBC
Saskatoon church places worship leader, former mayoral candidate on leave after robbery, assault charges
Mark Zielke will not be playing piano this weekend at St. Paul's United Church in Saskatoon. The 41-year-old is now on administrative leave from his lay position as a worship leader at the church in the wake of robbery and assault charges. For more than a decade, the self-described justice advocate and one-time candidate for mayor has also provided leadership at Sunday worship, done pastoral care and provided musical accompaniment to artists playing at the church. That is now all on hold. Zielke, 41, is accused alongside Tyson Moore, 44, and David Dominguez, 41, of robbing the Hitching Post Motel on Saturday night. The trio were arrested after RCMP stopped Zielke's white BMW X3 at the Borden Bridge, 50 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. They each face 14 counts of robbery and assault. Rev. Mitchell Anderson said members of the congregation became alarmed Sunday morning when Zielke did not show up for work at the church. Anderson said Zielke joined the church, in the Sutherland neighbourhood, in 2011 and is its longest serving lay employee. "When Mark was not at work on Sunday, members of the congregation felt that that behaviour was uncharacteristic and so they tried to contact him, contact friends of his, stopped by his home," Anderson said. "When they were unable to find him, they contacted the police with their concerns." Zielke was in jail. Anderson said the United Church has clear policies about conduct by ministers. "There is a policy as it relates to ordained ministers, which is that when an ordained minister is charged with a criminal offence, they're placed on administrative leave," he said. "As a lay employee, the congregation has decided to place [Zielke] on administrative leave. This allows us the time to gather more information in order to prayerfully and thoughtfully make decisions about the future."
CBC
10-04-2025
- CBC
Former Saskatoon mayoral candidate charged with robbery, assault at motel in North Battleford, Sask.
A man who ran for mayor in Saskatoon in 2020 is one of three charged with armed robbery, assault and other offences after a robbery at a hotel in North Battleford, Sask. Mark Zielke ran unsuccessfully for Saskatoon mayor in 2020, placing sixth in a field of six. Zielke, 41, is accused alongside Tyson Moore, 44, and David Dominguez, 41, of robbing the Hitching Post Motel on Saturday night. The trio were arrested after RCMP stopped Zielke's white BMW X3 at the Borden Bridge, 50 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon. Zielke appeared by video Wednesday in North Battleford provincial court. He made bail and is scheduled to return April 28. Bail hearings for Moore and Dominguez are set on Thursday. Mark Zielke posted this selfie on X on April 4, the day before his arrest. (Mark Zielke/X) RCMP offered a narrative of events in a news release and supporting court documents. Officers responded to the Hitching Post at about 10:40 p.m. CST on Saturday after reports of a robbery. They arrived to find a motel staffer injured and were told three suspects had made off with cash, electronics, ID and financial cards, according to the news release. Cameras at the Lone Star Hotel next door captured the white BMW leaving the scene, staff told CBC. RCMP stopped the car at the Borden Bridge and arrested the three men. All three men are facing 14 charges related to the robbery. The court documents allege Zielke had a loaded, unregistered Glock 19 handgun and a sword inside the car. He's also charged with confining and threatening to kill motel staff, and damaging the motel CCTV cameras. It's alleged that he assaulted the motel staffer with a large ring. On his social media profile on X, Zielke is shown wearing an oversized ring with a Lady Justice insignia. Zielke showing off a ring on X. (Mark Zielke/X) In addition to running for mayor, Zielke is well known in the local legal community for his advocacy work. Although he is not licensed in Saskatchewan as a practising lawyer, he offers to represent people in small claims and traffic court through his business, Living Sky Advocates. In 2019, a Court of Queen's Bench judge ordered Zielke to stop giving legal advice or acting for clients in court until he is licensed by the Law Society of Saskatchewan. In 2021, Saskatchewan's Court of Appeal overruled that decision.
