Secretly filming female colleagues while they changed inside a staff bathroom is an “egregious breach of trust,” that has led to a year behind bars for former London public school teacher.
Jamie Gardiner, a 39-year-old who used to work at Ashley Oaks Public School sat quietly as Justice Marc Garson outlined the details of his decision: one year in jail for child pornography charges related to footage of a 16-year-old co-op student, and nine months to be served concurrently for voyeurism charges.
In the spring of 2015, Gardiner was caught filming colleagues with a camera hidden inside a backpack. It had a thumb-sized hole which allowed a camera lens to record women from the waist down, as they changed. A
Following victim impact statements Monday morning, Gardiner addressed several of his former coworkers sitting inside the courtroom. He apologized and assured them he never shared the videos online.
But his actions have impacted his victim’s ability to trust people, and to feel safe.
“The offenses before me constitute a shocking and humiliating breach of trust,” explained Garson. “He has brought shame and embarrassment to himself and his profession as a teacher.”
An early guilty plea on charges of voyeurism was considered a mitigating factor, said Garson. Gardiner is a first time offender, who isn’t likely to ever commit a similar crime. His addiction is also considered treatable by many of his counsellors, from who he’s been receiving one-on-one and group therapy.
But after giving Gardiner the mandatory minimum one-year sentence for child pornography charges, Garson addressed the former teacher directly.
“I wish to be clear,” he began.
“Our society must clearly send a message that this type of conduct is completely unacceptable.”
Garson then turned to many of the victims, seated inside the courtroom.
“I am sorry for the pain, and anguish, and profound hurt that I know you feel,” he said.
“I hope that today’s proceedings and the conclusion of this case brings some small comfort to each and every one of you.”
Outside the courthouse, defence lawyer Richard Braiden said his client is probably feeling a sense of relief.
Meanwhile, one of Gardiner’s former coworkers, who can’t be identified, told reporters she was unsatisfied with the sentencing.
“He basically got away with it,” she said.
“Voyeurism is not a minor crime, it’s inappropriate at any level, and the reality is that the voyeurism laws need to change.”