LONDON, Ont. - Greg Stewart went from mentor to inmate for reasons he still can't explain.
The once-admired London elementary school teacher's spectacular fall ended with the short walk across a courtroom Friday into custody.
Before sentencing Stewart to six months in jail for sexually assaulting a 14-year old female pupil, the judge said the former Orchard Park teacher "lost everything he stood for" and "demolished his life."
"His legacy, which should have been a proud one, is now tarnished by his own criminal actions," said Ontario Court Justice John Skowronski.
Stewart, 56, a 1993 winner of the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence, was a mainstay and inspiration in the school for three decades.
As he was led away, he looked back at a small group of friends and family, gave a wan wave and disappeared through the door.
His victim, her identity protected by court order, watched Stewart be sent to jail, after enduring months of ridicule and scorn from those who wanted to believe Stewart was innocent.
"You have no shame in this matter and only the people who addressed you have shame," the judge said.
Skowronski also ordered a year-long probation for Stewart and that he be added to the sex offender registry for 10 years.
Stewart had told a psychiatrist he didn't know why he began quiet conversations in January 2009 with one of his pupils, which Skowronski described as "repugnant."
After overhearing the girl talk about masturbation, he encouraged her to try it and told her techniques including the use of sex toys and a banana. He suggested she tell him when she did, so he could masturbate at the same time at his home.
Stewart called it "homework."
After two months of intensely suggestive discussions, the girl found herself with Stewart standing close to her in the classroom while with another pupil. Stewart slid the back of his hand over her clothing, then turned it over on her breast and down her body. He apologized later, but asked if could touch her again.
The girl disclosed the touch to another teacher, who spoke to Stewart. Stewart said he didn't want his "good career" to end. The teacher reported the activities to the principal, who called police.
The judge said he was moved by the girl's victim impact statement -- "It hurts every day" -- despite Stewart's "impeccable" career. He said he recognized Stewart was filled with guilt and is in counselling, but said it was a breach of trust "at its highest."
The Crown asked for a year in jail, while defence lawyer Patrice Band argued for a strict probation with house arrest-like terms.
Band couldn't argue for a conditional sentence because of Parliament's amendments making sexual assault convictions ineligible for house arrest. Skowronski said he wouldn't impose a strict probation, because that would be "counter to the intent of Parliament."
The message, he said, had to be sent to the community and has to deter any one else "that commit such egregious acts on the young in our community. If only one person was impacted by the decision of the court, it would be beneficial to the community."
The judge also recommended Stewart be taken to detention alone and be segregated. Stewart had his nose broken in courthouse cells after his arrest.
A statement released by Mike Sereda, the Thames Valley District school board's executive superintendent, said Stewart's crime was "both shocking and saddening," and encouraged the community to "show our support for our youth when they do the right thing and show the courage to stand up and disclose inappropriate behaviour."
Outside court, Band said he's worried for Stewart in jail, but "I hope that his guilty plea and his remorse sends some healing message to the complainant and her family and the community because it came from a very sincere place."
The victim's sister, 13, speaking for the family, said she wasn't happy with the sentence. "I don't think he'll learn much in six months." Her sister, she said, was depressed and had many sleepless nights.
"Grade 8 is supposed to be your year to remember, your last year of elementary school, " she said. "You want to make it one to remember but he screwed it up and made it worse."
jane.sims@sunmedia.ca
Source: Toronto Sun
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