It’s beginning to look a lot like controversy at a shopping centre, where Santa Claus himself was sacked after allegedly slapping a child during a beard-pulling incident
It was anything but a holly jolly Christmas at one shopping centre after Santa Claus landed on the naughty list. His alleged crime? Slapping an eager kid.
Will this festive fiasco leave families rocking around the Christmas tree, or has the magic of Christmas taken a sleigh ride out of town? Either way, an incident has definitely given Krampus a run for his money.
Santa’s gone straight to the naughty list at a Canadian shopping centre after a festive meet-and-greet turned sour. In a scene that’s a far cry from the heartwarming Miracle on 34th Street, a Sherwood Park, Alberta shopping centre, Santa was sacked after allegedly slapping a young boy’s hand when the child reportedly tugged on his beard.
The incident, which happened in a hamlet just east of Edmonton, quickly sparked outrage. The shopping centre wasted no time in issuing a grovelling apology to the boy and his family, calling the behaviour “completely unacceptable” in a statement posted to Facebook.
They confirmed the Santa in question “had been removed from the program and would not be returning”. They further stated: “Ensuring that each child has a magical Christmas experience is of the utmost importance to us.”
Cherry Hill Programs, the company responsible for vetting and training Santas at hundreds of venues across Canada, including Sherwood Park Mall, told The Canadian Press it was aware of the situation and acted swiftly. “The Santa was replaced so families can continue to experience the magic of Christmas during the remaining days of the holiday season,” the company said.
Nevertheless, a slew of angered observers jump to Santa’s defense, as an Instagram user commented: “Why the santa getting punished? TEACH YOUR KID IMPULSE CONTROL PERIOD.” A person wrote: “Soooo the kid assaulted him and he’s being punished lol cool.”
Someone else penned: “If its my kid and he aint acting right he probably deserved it lol.” A netizen commented: “Actions have consequences, the boy assaulted him.”
A separate individual added: “This seems like a wrongful dismissal. Santa’s got a right to defend himself.”
Santa wasn’t the only Christmas icon to land in hot waters this year, as a Daily Star reader made a peculiar confession about Mrs Claus. “I’ve just caught my best friend’s husband in the arms of a sexy Mrs Christmas,” they wrote to aunt Jane O’Gorman.
They went on: “He was naked, while she was dressed in a saucy red outfit. They were rutting on the kitchen table. We all froze and then he screamed: ‘Get out’.
“Now I don’t know what to do. Must I tell my friend that her man is a dirty cheat?
“Will he come after me if I do? I can’t unsee his skinny bottom going up and down on his mystery woman.
“I’m in shock.” Daily Star’s problem solver consequently answered: “I suggest you busy yourself with your Christmas preparations and forget the whole thing.
“A guy can do whatever he likes in the privacy of his own home. You weren’t invited onto the property; you let yourself in and crept round the back.
“Perhaps your friend already knows about this other woman and doesn’t mind. It’s not for you to embarrass or shame her.
“If his affair IS illicit and he’s being this brazen within the home, then the chances are he’ll trip himself up sooner than later anyway. Your friend and her relationship are not your business.
“Just make sure that you’re around to support her if she needs your help in the future.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .