Garden centre Santa leaves children in tears after telling them he isn't real PA Stock image


A garden centre Father Christmas has been suspended after he allegedly told little children about the Newtown school massacre and that he was NOT really the big man.

Outraged parents Steven and Wendy Kennett reported the mean-spirited Santa after taking their children, Ryan, 10, Amy, seven and Katie, six to his grotto at the Notcutts garden centre in Oxford

They paid £5.99 for each of the children to meet Santa, and were horrified when he began talking about the Sandy Hook school shootings.

Furious Mrs Kennett told the Oxford Mail that Santa had brought up the school massacre when her children said they had been good.

Mrs Kennett claims he said: "Well there are bad people in the world and bad things happen, like what happened to those children in America."

The children's shocked dad stepped in and stopped him discussing it further.

Santa then asked to speak to 10-year-old Ryan alone. The little boy subsequently came running out of the grotto in tears, reportedly telling his parents, 'Santa told me he is not real, it's just you and dad'.

Mrs Kennett said she was 'totally furious' that she was left with 'three children in floods of tears'.

A spokesman from Notcutts confirmed that the family had complained about Santa's behaviour, and said they would be discussing it with the employee.

"This man was a freelancer and he has been suspended from his job for the season," the spokesman said.

"He has worked for us for 10 years without any complaint and we will be sitting down with him in the future to discuss the incident. At the end of the day the customer is upset. We have apologised for that and we have taken steps and the family have been kept informed."

He said Notcutts had arranged for the Kennetts to visit the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland attraction to make up for the upset.


The best stocking fillers

  • <p> Carddies, &pound;8.99, from <a href="http://www.carddies.com/" target="_blank">Carddies.com.</a></p> <p> Brilliant colouring-in sets with groups of card people from a particular theme (football, knights, school, sport and more), plus a background scene for your wannabe theatre directors to put them to play in. The compact boxes also contain 12 colouring pencils and plastic stands to keep the figures upright. Ideal for travel or overly-long meals when the grown-ups are gassing on too much!&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> VELCRO&reg; Kids Masks, &pound;5.50 each, from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Velcro-Kids-Cheetah-Parrot-Mask/dp/B007XRQLVA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1355927564&amp;sr=8-4" target="_blank">Amazon.co.uk.</a></p> <p> These cool masks will provide hours of creative fun. Choose from jungle animals, princesses and pirates.&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> Ridley&rsquo;s Whoopee Cushion, &pound;2.95, from <a href="http://www.wildandwolf.com/childrens/toys_games/ridleys_whoopee_cushion.htm " target="_blank">Wildandwolf.com.</a></p> <p> Cheap, cheerful way to guarantee laughs among wind-obsessed kids!</p>
  • <p> Ratburger by David Walliams, cover price &pound;12.99 but currently &pound;6.99 at <a href="http://www.whsmith.co.uk/Products/Ratburger+Hardback+35897637" target="_blank">Whsmith.co.uk.</a></p> <p> Fabulously funny latest novel from the man dubbed as &lsquo;the new Roald Dahl&rsquo;.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p>
  • <p> Artzooka Paper Roll Buddies, &pound;5.99, from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Artzooka-3017-Paper-Roll-Buddies/dp/B007WDPQS4/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1352715791&amp;sr=8-9&amp;tag=aolpdishedit-21 " target="_blank">Amazon.co.uk.</a></p> <p> This craft set from Artzooka is a well-priced stocking filler, letting children take boring old loo roll tubes and turn them into funky puppets. Great for a rainy day activity.</p>
  • <p> Everything&rsquo;s Rosie Snowball DVD, &pound;5.99, from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Everythings-Rosie-Snowball-Other-Stories/dp/B0096PEMAE/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1352715556&amp;sr=1-1-catcorr&amp;tag=aolpdishedit-21 " target="_blank">Amazon.co.uk.</a></p> <p> 13 episodes of the CBeebies show featuring Rose and her friends, including the very Christmassy The Last Snowball.&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> Dasher Dog in a Kennel, &pound;7.75, from <a href="http://www.achica.com/product.aspx?product=Ragtales+Dasher+Dog+In+A+Kennel&amp;productid=559631&amp;sku=RAG071112104430-10&amp;promotionid=16059" target="_blank">Achica.com.</a></p> <p> A dog isn&rsquo;t just for Christmas with young Dasher and his kennel.&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> Play to Learn Giggle Stick, &pound;5.99, from <a href="http://www.preciouslittleone.com/product-information/102/23878/play-to-learn-giggle-stick-%28riley%29/" target="_blank">Preciouslittleone.com.</a></p> <p class="ListParagraph"> <span lang="EN-GB">Ideal for babies&rsquo; Christmas stockings, shake the toy and it creates the sort of sounds that they&rsquo;ll giggle away at. &nbsp;</span></p>
  • <p> JellyBean Factory Rudolph Beans Tube, &pound;9.54, from <a href="http://www.partypieces.co.uk/red-nose-rudolph-beans-tube.html" target="_blank">Partypieces.co.uk.</a></p> <p> Fun, colourful and Christmassy sweets which are free from artificial colours and flavours.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p>
  • <p> Haba Crazy Cats game, &pound;8.95, from <a href="http://www.haba.co.uk " target="_blank">Haba.co.uk.</a></p> <p> This simple but addictive card game deserves to be much better known than it is - perfect for all the family, it&rsquo;s both simple and unpredictable.&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> LEGO Minifigure, &pound;1.99, from <a href="http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Toys-R-Us/Toys/Construction/Lego-Mini-Figures-Series-8%280096364%29?cm_mmc=Feed-_-Google%20Base-_-N%2FA-_-Lego%20Mini%20Figures%20Series%208" target="_blank">Toysrus.co.uk.</a></p> <p> The latest set of Minifigures, series 8, hit the shops a few weeks ago and are as collectible as ever with a fairy, pirate captain, cowgirl, DJ dude and very seasonal Santa among the selection this time. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> Button Girl Purse, &pound;7.99, from <a href="http://www.bombayduck.com/index.php/accessories/button-girl/button-girl-owl-embroidered-coin-purse.html " target="_blank">Bombayduck.com.</a></p> <p> Cute as a button purse for little girls to stash pocket money or other bits and pieces in.</p> <p> </p>
  • <p> The Snowman Book and CD Gift Set, &pound;7.99, from <a href="http://www.puffin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780141501710,00.html" target="_blank">Puffin.co.uk.</a></p> <p> Newly released to celebrate 30 years since it was first published, this classic book is accompanied by a CD with reading by Andrew Sachs and music such as the beautiful Walking in the Air.&nbsp;</p>
  • <p> Penguin Ice Cream Van Jigsaw, &pound;8.99, from <a href="http://www.toyella.com/toys/scratch-europe/penguin-ice-cream-van-jigsaw-puzzle" target="_blank">Toyella.com.</a></p> <p class="ListParagraph"> <span lang="EN-GB">24 piece jigsaw puzzle that&rsquo;d make a lovely stocking filler for three to five year olds.&nbsp;</span></p>
  • <p> Orchard Toys Cupcake Game, &pound;7.50, from&nbsp;<a href="http://, http://www.orchardtoys.com/products/wheres-my-cupcake/ " target="_blank">Orchardtoys.com.</a></p> <p> Superb value for money and involving a bit of stealth learning, kids and parents alike love Orchard Toys&rsquo; games and this new cupcake themed one is unlikely to be an exception.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p>
  • <p> Wilkinsons Lets play house tea seat, &pound;10, from <a href="http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/wilko-play-tin-tea-set/invt/0320720/?htxt=Xt7rRH3yz8QlVuLVpUvV1yRRe4IsPPVqNDNII1uHeECRN9t7Hxl8PW4HDdEl5I%2Fi0mi%2F8cG6sQHc%0Ao10cPoDqmw%3D%3D" target="_blank">Wilkinsonsplus.com.</a></p> <p> Sweet little tin tea set with 15 pieces for just &pound;10.&nbsp;</p>