A well-known Edmonton playwright, and former substitute teacher, has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.
David Belke, 57, pleaded guilty Thursday morning; he had about a dozen supporters in the courtroom.
“He goes to the same church we go to so we’re here strictly to support David and support a man who is a really gentle soul and loves humanity,” said Wayne Phare, who said he’s known Belke for more than 40 years and has followed his career.
“Anybody needs support and we all love David and we want to be here for his mom and dad and him… I’ll stand beside him in anything needed.”
Belke was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography in March, following an investigation by Edmonton police and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT).
ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) team said it had no information to suggest Belke “offended on any children.”
The investigation began in late February after a tip from a computer repair shop. A computer was seized and ALERT said child sexual exploitation photos and videos were found on it.
Among hundreds of files found on the computer, court heard Thursday 12 photos and six stories were determined to be child pornography.
READ MORE: Edmonton teacher charged with child pornography offence
Belke was a substitute teacher in Edmonton and heavily involved in local theatre. In March, Edmonton Public Schools said Belke was no longer serving as a substitute teacher.
Belke’s website stated he was a resident playwright with Edmonton’s Shadow Theatre. When the charges against Belke were laid, the president of Shadow Theatre said Belke stepped down in February and no longer has any affiliation with the company. Donal O’Beirne said Belke worked with Shadow Theatre for 25 years.
Phare said he reached out to Belke within a day of hearing about the charge. Belke has had good days and bad, Phare said, adding he’s returned to church and has a lot of support.
“Our church has really gone a wonderful way. A large majority of people are supporting David,” he said outside court on Thursday. “If he’s made this mistake, fine. That’s our job as a Christian church is to forgive that kind of thing and be with him in the journey.
“David is a good man, in contrast to the charges, and we want to forgive him and get him on to the rest of his life.”
The Crown is asking for a six-month sentence – which is the minimum sentence – followed by 12 months of probation, and that he also continue counselling. The judge reserved his decision until Nov. 17.
Watch below: A teacher and playwright has been charged with possession of child pornography. (Filed March 2017).