Darrell Christopher Gilkes during a July 19, 2023 court appearance in Nanaimo where he first applied to re-locate to Ontario amid an active police child porn investigation against him. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

consent release order

Release conditions applied to former Nanaimo teacher facing child porn charges

Sep 15, 2024 | 11:33 AM

NANAIMO — Release conditions have been implemented against a former Nanaimo substitute teacher charged with a pair of child pornography offences.

Darrell Christopher Gilkes, 31, appeared briefly via video in provincial court in Nanaimo last week to agree to a consent release order featuring several pre-trial restrictive conditions.

Gilkes turned himself in to York Regional Police in Aurora, Ontario on Monday, Sept. 9 to sign a release order.

He was then released from police custody to reside with his parents in nearby Newmarket, Ont., Crown counsel Basil McCormick informed the court.

The release conditions crafted by Crown and Gilkes’ lawyer and approved by judge Karen Whonnock include staying away from public facilities and parks where people under the age of 18 could reasonably be present.

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Other key provisions applying against Gilkes forbid him from working in any capacity of authority involving people under the age of 18.

Internet usage restrictions also apply to Gilkes for the time being, among other conditions.

Gilkes is charged with possession and distributing/importing child pornography in Nanaimo on Dec. 5, 2022.

He was serving as a teacher on call at several high schools in the Nanaimo area at the time.

Gilkes had his teaching license suspended in British Columbia on June 23, 2023, several months following his arrest and nearly a year before charges were officially filed this past May.

In late July 2023, Gilkes was granted permission by judge Ronald Lamperson to relocate to Ontario to live with his parents as the police investigation continued.

Despite judge Lamperson stating his concerns about Gilkes potentially teaching in Ontario during the investigation, Gilkes found himself back in front of a classroom soon after.

Gilkes taught most of the 2023/24 school year at Ontario’s Newmarket High School until word of the charges spread back to Ontario.

The Ontario College of Teachers suspended Gilkes’ license on July 11.

Gilkes obtained a new lawyer since charges against him were filed, who reported she had not received details of the allegations (disclosure) as of last week’s hearing.

A procedural appearance for Gilkes is scheduled for Oct. 1 in provincial court in Nanaimo.

None of the allegations against Gilkes have been proven in court.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes