The accused, a former teacher of the complainant, was tried on charges of sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, and sexual exploitation arising from a sexual relationship that developed after the complainant left his class and later worked under his supervision at a drama camp.
The court accepted that a consensual sexual relationship involving intercourse existed by March 2011, but found the complainant's evidence on timing left a reasonable doubt whether the relationship began before she turned 16.
The accused was therefore acquitted on the under-16 counts.
The court nevertheless found that the relationship flowed directly from the earlier teacher-student bond and subsequent supervisory employment relationship, and that the accused remained in a position of trust or authority toward the complainant when she was 16 to 17.
A finding of guilt was entered on the sexual exploitation count under s. 153.
