Crown and defence lawyers are arguing for very different sentences for a former Okanagan teacher found guilty of historic sex crimes.
In May, 40-year-old Anoop Singh Klair was found guilty of eight charges of sexual offences, including sexual interference of a child and sexual assault with a weapon.
The prosecution wants Klair to spend five to seven years in prison.
However, the defence is arguing for a conditional sentence to be served under house arrest for two years less a day, followed by three years probation.
Alternatively, the defence suggested a jail sentence of two years less a day, followed by three years probation.
Klair’s crimes date back to between 1999 to 2003, which was before he became a substitute teacher. He resigned when the allegations against him came to light.
The victims were just young boys when they were sexually assaulted.
Their identities are under a publication ban, although they were not former students.
One of the victims told court in a statement that Anoop stole his innocence and that he was catapulted into a life he did not choose.
“Because of the abuse I endured, I deal with triggers on a daily basis,” he wrote.
“For far too long, the boogeyman didn’t just haunt my nightmares, but seeing him in person affected me in my core during some of the most formative years of my life,” the victim said.
The judge is expected to give his decision regarding sentencing on Sept. 15.
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