Woman accused of groping mall Santa
Email|Print| Text size – + December 18, 2007
DANBURY, Conn.—A Danbury woman was charged with sexual assault after allegedly groping Santa Claus at the Danbury Fair mall.
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Sandrama Lamy, 33, faces fourth-degree sexual assault and breach of peace charges.
Danbury police were called to the mall over the weekend. The mall Santa told them Lamy had touched him inappropriately while sitting on his lap.
"The security officer at the mall said Santa Claus has been sexually assaulted," Danbury Detective Lt. Thomas Michael said.
Capt. Bob Myles said police were able to quickly find and identify Lamy because she was on crutches.
She has been released on a promise to appear in court on Jan. 3.
A message seeking comment was left on Lamy's answering machine Tuesday morning. A woman at that number called back to say "It's a false report and I don't have any idea."
Police are not releasing the name of the man playing Santa, but they said he is 65 and felt badly because children were waiting to see him.
"He was apparently shocked and embarrassed by the whole incident," Myles said.
"Santa Tim" Connaghan, president of RealSantas.com, teaches hundreds of prospective Santas a year and said he's never heard of a similar incident, though it's not unusual for adults to want to pose with Santa.
"I've had some very nice ladies sit on my lap," Connaghan said. "Once in a while they'll say 'I hope Mrs. Claus isn't going to be upset.' You have to be discreet and kind and say 'Oh no, she'll be OK. You can sit here, but only for one photo.'"
A spokeswoman for Cherry Hill Photo, the company that coordinates the Santas for the Danbury mall, declined comment Tuesday.
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Email|Print| Text size – + December 18, 2007
DANBURY, Conn.—A Danbury woman was charged with sexual assault after allegedly groping Santa Claus at the Danbury Fair mall.
more stories like this
Sandrama Lamy, 33, faces fourth-degree sexual assault and breach of peace charges.
Danbury police were called to the mall over the weekend. The mall Santa told them Lamy had touched him inappropriately while sitting on his lap.
"The security officer at the mall said Santa Claus has been sexually assaulted," Danbury Detective Lt. Thomas Michael said.
Capt. Bob Myles said police were able to quickly find and identify Lamy because she was on crutches.
She has been released on a promise to appear in court on Jan. 3.
A message seeking comment was left on Lamy's answering machine Tuesday morning. A woman at that number called back to say "It's a false report and I don't have any idea."
Police are not releasing the name of the man playing Santa, but they said he is 65 and felt badly because children were waiting to see him.
"He was apparently shocked and embarrassed by the whole incident," Myles said.
"Santa Tim" Connaghan, president of RealSantas.com, teaches hundreds of prospective Santas a year and said he's never heard of a similar incident, though it's not unusual for adults to want to pose with Santa.
"I've had some very nice ladies sit on my lap," Connaghan said. "Once in a while they'll say 'I hope Mrs. Claus isn't going to be upset.' You have to be discreet and kind and say 'Oh no, she'll be OK. You can sit here, but only for one photo.'"
A spokeswoman for Cherry Hill Photo, the company that coordinates the Santas for the Danbury mall, declined comment Tuesday.
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