Man sentenced after admitting sexual relationship with teen

A former public school board supply teacher faces a year behind bars for a sex offence involving a teenaged girl.

Joshua Pallot was sentenced to the jail term Thursday after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation and breach of a recognizance at an earlier court appearance in April.

Ontario Court Justice John Condon imposed 330 days custody for the exploitation charge and a further 35 days for the recognizance violation.

Prior to sentencing the 31-year-old man, Condon reminded those in the courtroom about a publication ban that prohibits publishing any information that would disclose the identity of the complainant and warned those inclined to consider social media to look up the the definition of publishing.

His reminder followed a comment prosecutor Dana Peterson made after court resumed following a break in the proceedings during which the judge had been finalizing his decision.

The assistant Crown attorney noted both the victim and offender had family and friends in the courtroom.

"There is simply no room in the justice system for victim blaming or victim shaming," or in the community in 2016 for such actions, she said.

In an agreed statement of facts, provided to the court when Pallot entered his guilty pleas, Condon heard the accused had become involved in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl, which had been revealed in detail in months of text messages.

He was arrested and charged in April 2014, after her parents became suspicious and contacted police.

Pallot breached his release document by repeatedly communicating with the girl between May 1 and July 31, 2015.

When he imposed the jail sentence, Condon noted the need to denounce Pallot's criminal behaviour which involved repeated sexual conduct with a minor and to deter him from thinking of doing such a thing again.

He cited the age difference between the accused and the victim and the repeated sex acts that had occurred over a period of time as aggravating factors.

As an adult, Pallot had time to think and rethink his actions, the judge said.

Pallot breached his bail multiple times with multiple tweets to the complainant, Condon said describing his lack of judgement as "troubling."

The judge called his guilty pleas, which saved the victim the difficult task of testifying in the public forum of a trial, and Pallot's lack of a prior criminal record as mitigating factors.

It was noted that Pallot began participating in therapy to get to the roots of his conduct soon after he was charged.

A report from his therapist indicated that he has come to realize his lack of judgement and has taken responsibility for his actions.

"I'm deeply sorry for my actions," and what they did to the victim and her family, he told Condon, adding he will spend the rest of his life paying for what he has done.

Pallot said that he is committed to working so this never happens again and he never lets himself nor his family down again.

The jail term, which was jointly recommended by the Crown and defence, will be followed by a three-year period of probation, the maximum under the Criminal Code of Canada.

During his probation, Pallot can't seek or obtain employment, or volunteer in any capacity that involves a position of trust or authority with females under the age of 18.

Pallot must also register as a sex offender for 10 years.

"This may seem to be one of the darkest moments of your life," Condon told him, suggesting it also is an opportunity to "change your life, to make yourself the man your family thought you were."