Edmonton teacher to be sentenced next month for sexual assault of former student
Crown prosecutors are seeking a sentence of between four and five years for an Edmonton music teacher convicted of sex crimes against a 15-year-old male former student.
Alyssa Tungul, 31, was found guilty in July of sexual assault and sexual interference.
At a sentencing hearing Friday, Crown Prosecutor Damon Macleod said he had invited the sexual assault count to be stayed.
He cited her position of authority and trust over the victim as an aggravating factor in sentencing for sexual interference.
“This is a temperate sentence,” Macleod said. “It is not so long that it would make rehabilitation and reintegration into the community impossible.”
He argued that while Tungul had shown prior good character she had also never shown real remorse for her actions.
"Ms. Tungul regrets being convicted. That is all."
Court also heard a statement read out by the victim’s mother describing how her son lost his love of music and struggled in school.
“My son was a victim, and a survivor. And, he will thrive regardless of your actions.”
Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Susan Bercov said she would reserve her decision until mid-December.
Defence lawyer Brian Vale is seeking a sentence of between 15 and 24 months to be served in the community, noting Tungul’s “otherwise blameless life.”
“She did commit a serious offence against a youth. But that was out of character for her,” he said.
"This was a situational offence ... there is no evidence to suggest this is a pattern.”
Tungul resigned as a teacher last March but had been on administrative leave since December of 2018 and suspended since May 2019.
“There is zero chance that she’ll ever teach again,” said Vale.
The student is now in his 20s and his identity remains protected by a publication ban.
Tungul was his music teacher in junior high and maintained a relationship with him after he graduated into high school,the court heard.
At trial, both the student and Tungul testified that they had sexual encounters but disagreed on who prompted those meetings and how often they happened.
She admitted to having sex with him in the basement of his cousin's house, but said he forced himself on her. The student told court the sex was consensual.
She was convicted of sexual interference in connection with a later incident where she performed oral sex in her car.
In her ruling, Bercov described the relationship as "inappropriate" and "improper."
"It is possible, even likely that this was developing or developed into an improper sexual relationship," Bercov ruled.
Tungul had pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and unlawful touching of a person under the age of 16.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.