The Pipits: Unwanted guest, keep an eye out for Dean Hughes

[Colleen Reilly]

Hi all,

Unfortunately, at this wonderful time of year, there are also unpleasant parts to deal with.

I have previously written to you, requesting that everyone keep a watchful eye out for a man who has a police history of harassing me at Pipit events.

He showed up at the start of yesterday's outing, and I had to call 911... fortunately Geordie was able to talk him into leaving (it took convincing), and the police did not need to come.

I just got off the phone with the officer who handled the previous charge and she is making a new report and will be contacting him.

This may get him worked up and I'm afraid that he may harass me further.

His name is (Gary) Dean Hughes.

My autism comes with a condition called face blindness, and I have a hard time recognizing faces. Literally. I couldn't recognize my son in the school parking lot recently, not until he came up to the car. It's very challenging.

I saw Dean come up to the group yesterday, knew he looked familiar and I had a bad feeling about him, but I couldn't remember his name at all. 

I actually had to ask Doug 2 to go find out his name. I also had blocked out the details from the last police encounter with him. 

It wasn't until I looked up my emails from the police and Victim Services, that I remembered how the court had handled his harassment last time.

These are the impacts of trauma, I am afraid of him and I put it out of my mind.

Anyhow, I am attaching photos of him here, and asking that everyone have a good look at him, and please, if you see him around any of our events, tell me immediately so I can call the police.

  

He is not welcome to our outings, he was banned from the group years ago, and the police actually told me that he is "unhinged" when they spoke with him the last time he harassed me. 

I find that quite unnerving, because what it means to me is that he is emotionally unstable and not functioning well on a cognitive level. 

All of these factors make me think he is unpredictable, and likely to persist.

I apologize for the unpleasant topic, and for bringing you all into a matter that seems personal. 

I need your help in keeping the group a safe place for all, and am very grateful to be surrounded by your generous natures and the kindness that permeates our group.

All the best everyone,

Colleen Reilly (she/her)

"And the wild is calling, calling...let us go", Robert Service

289.795.6537

collee...@gmail.com

[Diane Dodds]

I am here to support you and the safe and congenial nature of The Pipits on any way o can. Will be on the lookout in the future. 

Diane1

Diane Dodds, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

T: 905-257-3633  C: 416-457-8453

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[Mara McHaffie]

I’m so sorry Colleen! That’s frightening and not something you want to worry about when you’re trying to have a nice time with friends! I will absolutely keep my eyes peeled so we can all stay safe!

-Mara

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/the-pipits/CAJP4ObL6B2W2prd%2BCm12ZCbchcfUn%3D71Fb3ZtL1akKYzBMH14g%40mail.gmail.com.

[Jim Scarrow]

So sorry you are going through this, Colleen. I will definitely be on the lookout for this creepy man.

I hope you can put it out of your mind during your holidays and find some peace.

Cheers,

Jim.

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 22, 2025, at 09:14, Mara McHaffie <mara.m...@gmail.com> wrote:



I’m so sorry Colleen! That’s frightening and not something you want to worry about when you’re trying to have a nice time with friends! I will absolutely keep my eyes peeled so we can all stay safe!

-Mara

On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 9:09 AM Diane Dodds <diane...@royallepage.ca> wrote:

I am here to support you and the safe and congenial nature of The Pipits on any way o can. Will be on the lookout in the future. 

Diane1

Diane Dodds, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

T: 905-257-3633  C: 416-457-8453

On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM Colleen Reilly <collee...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all,

Unfortunately, at this wonderful time of year, there are also unpleasant parts to deal with.

I have previously written to you, requesting that everyone keep a watchful eye out for a man who has a police history of harassing me at Pipit events.

He showed up at the start of yesterday's outing, and I had to call 911... fortunately Geordie was able to talk him into leaving (it took convincing), and the police did not need to come.

I just got off the phone with the officer who handled the previous charge and she is making a new report and will be contacting him.

This may get him worked up and I'm afraid that he may harass me further.

His name is (Gary) Dean Hughes.

My autism comes with a condition called face blindness, and I have a hard time recognizing faces. Literally. I couldn't recognize my son in the school parking lot recently, not until he came up to the car. It's very challenging.

I saw Dean come up to the group yesterday, knew he looked familiar and I had a bad feeling about him, but I couldn't remember his name at all. 

I actually had to ask Doug 2 to go find out his name. I also had blocked out the details from the last police encounter with him. 

It wasn't until I looked up my emails from the police and Victim Services, that I remembered how the court had handled his harassment last time.

These are the impacts of trauma, I am afraid of him and I put it out of my mind.

Anyhow, I am attaching photos of him here, and asking that everyone have a good look at him, and please, if you see him around any of our events, tell me immediately so I can call the police.

<DeanHughes3.jpg>

 

<DeanHughes2.jpg>

 

<DeanHughes.jpg>

He is not welcome to our outings, he was banned from the group years ago, and the police actually told me that he is "unhinged" when they spoke with him the last time he harassed me. 

I find that quite unnerving, because what it means to me is that he is emotionally unstable and not functioning well on a cognitive level. 

All of these factors make me think he is unpredictable, and likely to persist.

I apologize for the unpleasant topic, and for bringing you all into a matter that seems personal. 

I need your help in keeping the group a safe place for all, and am very grateful to be surrounded by your generous natures and the kindness that permeates our group.

All the best everyone,

Colleen Reilly (she/her)

"And the wild is calling, calling...let us go", Robert Service

289.795.6537

collee...@gmail.com

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[James Craig VanOverberghe]

Sorry this happened Colleen, will definitely keep an eye out!

We’ve got your back :)

[Bill Kilburn]

Hi Colleen,

Thank you for sending this note. We share the sentiment with others in being sorry you have to experience this traumatic experience, and committed to your safety in any way we can. Thank goodness you have Geordie's steady strength and calm demeanor close by at many times for support! We will familiarize ourselves with the photos you sent and stay vigilant when we are with you.

Through all this, may you experience abundant peace and joy during this holiday season: Merry Christmas!

Warm regards, 

Bill, Jennifer, Ben and Finn

On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM Colleen Reilly <collee...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Janice Frappa]

Sorry that you have had to deal with this man.  I will keep my eyes open at any future events.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/the-pipits/7b1cd4a7-d5ff-4e9a-b041-8cb7cd16f52fn%40googlegroups.com.

[Linda Jenkins]

Please don't apologize Colleen. I'm sure everyone would agree that any threat to a member of our group is unacceptable. We've got your back on this. 

We'll need to strategize so that you don't have to see him at all. Maybe you stay in the truck until we've had a good look around, especially around Hamilton and Lasalle.

I'd happily tell him right where to go but it would be best if we get the police to deal with him.

Big hugs,

Linda

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/the-pipits/CAP5070ojs887T%3DRCS_Kk9r6C6WYOSbMmnXa7gqGcJbmDO2WSDg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Amit Kotwal]

Hi Colleen,

I will definitely keep an eye out for this person, and we'll all keep him away from you.

Please don't apologize - you have nothing to apologize for! 

We have your back. Put it out of your mind, and enjoy the holidays.

Merry Christmas!

--

Regards,

- Amit

On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM Colleen Reilly <collee...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Colleen Reilly]

Well everyone, I guess I jumped the gun, so to speak.

I talked to the Constable who took the report yesterday, after she talked to Dean.

She talked about how it's not fair to him, that he goes to the same locations as myself, for rare birds, that he lives in Burlington, so he's likely to be at the parks I bring the group to.

That because of me, he's been removed from certain communication groups, and how it's unfair to him.

If I see him, I should consider leaving. He has as much right as I do to be there.

I thought she must be mistaken so I spoke with the Staff Sergeant. A man who had experience on domestic violence unit etc.

He told me the same thing.

There are no conditions requiring Dean to stay away from me.

The history doesn't make any difference. He said he doesn't know who I am, or who my group is, so despite the fact that he has copied and pasted my outings from my website to other forums and told people to crash my outings, they will accept that he doesn't know who I am or what I look like.

He is allowed to approach me, talk to folks in the group, he could follow along as we walked, or even walk beside me, if he wanted. There's nothing the police could do.

There is basically NO POINT in calling them.

I might have misunderstood, Geordie probably overheard and maybe heard it differently, but that's the understanding I was left with.

If I'm uncomfortable or don't feel safe around him, I better get a lawyer, and try to get a peace bond against him, which is another kind of restraining order. It will cost me whatever a lawyer and court hearing costs, but that's irrelevant in the eyes of the law apparently.

I feel very defeated, and I am questioning whether I want to continue running outings in the Burlington area. 

It breaks my heart because I love you guys and the community we've created, so much.

If anyone knows a lawyer who handles these types of cases - I don't even know what kind of law it is... please let me know.

When that Staff Sergeant started talking about domestic violence, as if the system works, I told him I was a former Social Worker, and everyone within that system knows that women die not infrequently, because the law does not protect them. The predator's rights are equal to hers... which in a sense makes them stronger than hers.

Anyhow, I'm sorry to bring my personal issues to your attention. I probably should have kept this all to myself. No one needs this kind of garbage in their awareness, especially at this season of giving and joy and love.

I hope we can refocus, please forgive me.

I received many messages from you yesterday - calls for courage, messages that I am not alone, support - unbelievable levels of support.

Thank you so much my friends.

I am sending you wishes for peace, joy, lots of love, and will remember your kindness and support.

Colleen Reilly (she/her)

"And the wild is calling, calling...let us go", Robert Service

289.795.6537

collee...@gmail.com

On Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 10:23 p.m. Jean Hampson Bob Highcock <bob....@sympatico.ca> wrote:

Hi Colleen, 

 

We are sorry to hear of this upsetting situation. We will offer you support any way we can.

Enjoy the holidays.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jean and Bob

[Diane Dodds]

Colleen, you do not need to apologize. 

As women, we are often trained to ignore our instincts and feelings of foreboding. Often to our detriment. This man is gaslighting. It happens time and time again. 

There is strength in numbers and although the police may not do much, we as a group can remain vigilant and keep an eye out for this man, your safety and our safety as a group and for each other. 

Please do not let him or anyone else chase you from the activities that you enjoy. We are all here to support you. 

Diane

Diane Dodds, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

T: 905-257-3633  C: 416-457-8453

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[Jim Scarrow]

I agree with Diane. We will look out for you. Maybe you could stay in your car until one of us gets there?

Jim.

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 23, 2025, at 09:19, Diane Dodds <diane...@royallepage.ca> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/the-pipits/CAJP4ObLbAS2kMOichuiOhcj3vW3n7kTGuUfJ%2BovQ6XnXp%3DhKoQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Colleen Reilly]

Thank you guys, so much.

We'll look out for each other collectively. Strength in numbers.

Does anyone know a good lawyer who handles peace bonds?

Colleen Reilly (she/her)

"And the wild is calling, calling...let us go", Robert Service

289.795.6537

collee...@gmail.com

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/the-pipits/D7C9FBD1-5B7F-42BB-B414-BDAB24881E9F%40gmail.com.

[Linda Jenkins]

I must say this is a very disappointing response from police but not entirely a surprise. Ultimately the decision to continue is yours Colleen and you must do what's right for you.  That being said, he's probably a coward when faced with numbers or other men, as most abusers are. We would never let anything happen to you but that doesn't address your anxiety or fear and I understand your reluctance to even be in the same area as this creep.

Please don't let this clown drain your Christmas spirit. We are all here for you.

Linda

--

[ja...@web.ca]

Good Mourning Colleen et al,

The misspelling was intentional.

In these dark times, my friends and I have had discussions on how we can fight back. How to make a difference.

The answer is to participate.

Do something in your little corner of the world. Sometimes it's a kind word, attending a lecture or demonstration, learning, teaching, or giving someone a hug.

Build community.

Shoulder someone else's burden. As Robbie Robertson wrote in "The Weight",

And take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And (And, and)
You put the load right on me (You put the load right on me)

In a just society, I wouldn't need to stash a $100 bill in a drawer for a friend's (or a stranger's) legal fund. But I will to help keep them safe. And I have.

It's yours Colleen, because I want you to feel safe. If you don't use it, I'll donate it to the cause, and it can help others.

Either way, I want to build community.

I wish everybody here the best in the (safe) New Year,

Jake.

--

[James Craig VanOverberghe]

We have your back no matter what, never forget that! 

[Douglas Kinzie]

Hi Colleen,

What an awful response from the police. In general birders don’t loiter in parking lots with no binoculars and ask arriving folks what group they are with. 

Hat’s off to Geordie who calmly but firmly convinced the man to leave without further incident.

It’s a shared problem for us all and clearly everyone supports you ,emotionally and physically, especially now that we understand the situation better. I’d be happy to contribute to the legal pot as well.

Don’t let the weirdo get you down.

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 23, 2025, at 8:38 AM, Colleen Reilly <collee...@gmail.com> wrote:



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<DeanHughes3.jpg>

<DeanHughes2.jpg>

<DeanHughes.jpg>

[Janice Frappa]

Just reading this now and I agree with everyone who has responded that it is such a disappointing response from the police but sadly it happens far too often...the abuser gets the support from the system and the victim becomes victimized yet again.

That being said, we all have your back and we will support you and your choices for the group.  We will all do what we have to to keep you safe and our group safe.

Enjoy the holidays and don't let the situation get you down!

Janice

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/the-pipits/F5DD55CB-6827-4C25-BB86-8653F94D9058%40gmail.com.

[Doug Berry]

Hi Colleen,

We have your back and will keep an eye out for you.  We are all in this together.

Doug

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/the-pipits/CAP5070qVVCNqDwwvYjSuHgxTyUUq2d6diO06%3DKm-aKT20gdEBw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Colleen Reilly]

Thank you so much everyone.

I've received texts, and personal emails from many of you, as well as the messages that are sent to the group.

I will try to respond privately to everyone, your thoughts mean the world to me.

I want to send a huge thank you, I appreciate you all so much.

I won't stop having our outings out of fear.

This Pipits community is strong, there is so much care for each other, and I truly do think we'd all step up for each other in a moment of need. 

I see it happen all the time in the field, and I experience it myself through all your messages of encouragement over the years, so much beautiful support here.

For those of you that celebrate, I am sending wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

We're almost ready for Santa's arrival over here, time to turn on NORAD's Santa Tracker!

Lots of love to all of you.

Colleen

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/the-pipits/CANVGJzWM84Vj9kz6PHVYBW%2BKbVrGHbabb83ZMdZSUB88i9kSUg%40mail.gmail.com.