A Welland man pleaded guilty this week to two charges related to sexual touching and paying for sexual services with a minor, whom he met in Collingwood.
On Monday (March 18), Daniel Martin, 66, appeared in court in Barrie to make his plea after details of the crimes for which he was charged were heard.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Martin, who was 64 at the time, met the Collingwood teen on Grindr around September 2021, but Martin says he didn’t know he was speaking to a minor. The two corresponded on another digital app, Snapchat, and agreed to meet in Collingwood on Oct. 15, 2021.
They met and, court heard, the teen performed fellatio on Martin. The youth asked for money, and Martin gave him $50.
According to court documents, Martin did not take steps to verify the teen was over 16 years old.
He later found out the teen was 15 years old.
Martin and the minor continued to correspond and Martin gave the youth another $325, bought him a sim card (for his phone), and later bought him a new cell phone.
The two met again on Dec. 10, 2021 in Collingwood, where they ate takeout at a hotel. The court heard that Martin fell asleep in the hotel room and later drove the teen home. Martin told the teen it was the last time he would meet him.
Martin’s lawyers noted he has been in regular therapy sessions and has been volunteering in the community. They also pointed out he has no prior criminal record and retired from a career in teaching without incident.
Martin pleaded guilty to touching for sexual purposes a minor under 16 years old, and to obtaining sexual services (for payment) from a person under 18 years old.
Martin has been found guilty of both charges, following his plea, and will be sentenced at a later date.