A former high school teacher who played a sexual version of ‘truth or consequence’ with pupils decades ago has been caught up in the court, who found him guilty of sex crimes.
“While it cannot be ignored that he taught sex education among other things, he clearly exceeded his duties. [Les crimes] were posed while he was a person in authority, ”commented Judge Guylaine Rivest in convicting Robert Charpentier Tuesday at the Montreal courthouse.
Courtesy picture
Robert Charpentier
The 75-year-old ex-teacher remained impassive in the face of this verdict, for gestures that date back to the 80s and 90s.
At the time, Charpentier was teaching English at a Montreal high school. He was also a professor of morality and religion, with a section on sex education.
However, the teacher had gotten into the habit of inviting students to his home. It is in this context that he made his first victim, whom he had invited with another boy.
On the spot, Charpentier then made them play “truth or consequence”, with a gradation that led the victim to execute a challenge of a sexual nature.
“What happens in the basement should stay in the basement,” he said.
Carpenter to his students.
Charpentier would have reoffended a decade later, on another student. Once again, he had encouraged the youngster to play his favorite game.
The judge didn’t believe him
During the trial, Charpentier had denied any indecent act, making all kinds of excuses to look good and proclaim his innocence, but without success.
His version was not retained, unlike those of the victims. He was thus convicted of gross indecency and invitation to sexual touching.
“It was really important by the two victims”, rejoiced Me Anna Levin of the Crown.
The prosecutor also took the opportunity to remind all the people who were victims of a crime to denounce, even if the time has elapsed.
“It’s never too late, justice is there,” she said. Here, there were only their testimonies [au soutien de la preuve] and after all this time, they were believed. »
Charpentier will return to court next month to set a date for sentencing.