STONY PLAIN – A former Spruce Grove teacher and hockey coach was sentenced Thursday to 45 days in jail for sexually exploiting a 16-year-old hockey player who once billeted at his home.
“There was a violation of the complainant’s right to dignity….There was no doubt alcohol was also a factor and there was a boundary violation in the bedroom by proposing a major sexual overture,” said provincial court Judge Hugh Fuller in his sentencing decision for Robert Paolinelli, at the Stony Plain courthouse.
43-year-old Paonelli pleaded guilty in 2012 to sexual exploitation, which involves the sexual touching of a young person by an adult in a position of trust.
Court previously heard the incident occurred in Paolinelli’s bedroom after a night of drinking games, that led to stripping. The youth and Paolinelli were alone when the coach offered to perform a sex act and touched the teen’s leg.
Crown prosecutor Douglas Taylor argued for a sentence of 15 to 18 months in jail followed by probation. The defence argued for the mandatory minimum sentence of 45 days in jail.
Taylor said the case resulted in “real psychological harm” to the victim and that Paolinelli ignored numerous “red flags” on the night of the incident.
The defence said Paolinelli has shown remorse, stopped drinking, and continues psychological treatment to deal with personal “demons,” including a history of childhood sexual abuse. Psychological assessments have stated he is at low risk of reoffending.
The facts of what happened that night at the home were in dispute, despite the guilty plea. Paonelli testified he suggested oral sex to the teenager after the drinking games.
Several players were staying at Paolinelli’s house as billets, but the complainant was the only youth. Court heard the coach mixed drinks for the players and was drinking himself.
The youth testified that Paolinelli fondled him and blocked the door when he tried to leave the bedroom.
The judge found the teenager’s testimony “seriously flawed” and suffering from gaps.
In addition to the jail sentence, Paolinelli will be on probation for two years.
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