Crown seeks dangerous offender designation for Daniel Nickolson

A Windsor man convicted of dozens of child pornography offences last year could be designated as a dangerous offender.

Daniel Nickolson, who was found guilty of 53 child-porn related charges back in September 2016, sat in Superior Court Monday wearing a grey shirt and green khakis.

He has a long history of offences, including a 2009 conviction for luring a 14-year-old girl from Saskatchewan and kidnapping her.

Because of that history, the Crown attorney has asked for a dangerous offender hearing, which continues on Thursday. If the judge supports the designation, the court can issue an indefinite prison sentence because the person is too dangerous to be released into society.

Cameron Adamson, a rehab officer at the South West Detention Centre, testified that Nickolson completed the sexual offender rehabilitation program, which helps people recognize their behaviour and learn how to make better decisions.

Another witness described Nickolson as an extrovert who was active in group therapy. Paul Adams is a psychotherapist who has operated a program since 1994.

He told the court Nickolson has made a relapse plan that encourages him to step away from any future situation where he might reoffend. He is supposed to contact someone from the group for guidance.

Chaplin Rielly McLaren testified about his work with Nickolson. The two have met dozens of times with McLaren visiting him at the detention centre.

He told the court he often felt like Nickolson was just going through the motions during their visits until he completed his parole obligations.