Sentencing arguments made in teacher luring case

An ex-Saskatoon teacher convicted of luring a 16-year-old former student over Facebook will find out next week how long he will spend behind bars.
 
His face wet with tears, Jayson Clarke Kennard, 40, apologized to the victim during Monday’s sentencing arguments at Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench. Kennard was found guilty in March of luring a child for the purpose of facilitating child pornography.
 
Crown prosecutor Michael Segu argued Kennard should spend 18 months in jail for sending sexually explicit messages to the boy, who he taught Grade 6 science at Dundonald Elementary School. The former teacher was unknowingly corresponding with an undercover police officer when he asked the boy to come over to his house for oral sex and to send nude photos, culminating in his arrest in August 2013.
 
Kennard maintains he thought the boy had turned 18 when he sent the messages to the officer posing as the victim.
 
Kennard used his role as a teacher to groom the boy, Segu said during his submissions. He said Kennard abused a position of trust, knowing it was wrong to communicate with the boy both because of his age and because of the fact that he was the boy’s former teacher.
 
But defence lawyer Brad Mitchell argued for the mandatory minimum of 12 months in jail, saying there was no abuse of trust because Kennard was no longer the boy’s teacher.
 
Despite what he called Kennard’s “excellent reputation” in the teaching world, Mitchell said his client was secretly struggling with an abusive relationship, an addiction to marijuana and depression. Kennard is extremely remorseful and has been attending sex addiction counselling since 2013, Mitchell pointed out.
 
“This has had a devastating affect on Mr. Kennard,” Mitchell said, explaining how the former teacher lost his career, contact with some family members and his overall reputation.
 
But the boy and his family have been living “a complete nightmare,” the boy’s mother wrote in a victim impact statement. She said her son, now 17, has attempted suicide several times because of Kennard’s actions. She expressed anger at Kennard for dragging the case through a trial instead of pleading guilty, but also said she has sympathy for the man’s family.
 
After sentencing arguments were made, Kennard broke down as he told the judge about his attempt to commit suicide while his case has been before the courts. He said he is trying to get better, but believes the shame and guilt will stay with him for the rest of his life. 

“I wish I could take back my actions, but I can’t,” he said.
 
Justice Geoffrey Dufour has reserved his sentencing decision until May 15.

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