A former teacher and hockey coach guilty of sexual exploitation could spend 45 days in jail for his crime – after other charges laid against him were dropped.
In a Stony Plain courtroom Tuesday morning, a judge released his decision on why two charges of sexual assault and unlawful confinement against Robert Paolinelli, 42, were dropped.
“At the end of the day, Judge Fuller made findings of fact today that inclined towards the position put forward by the offender, Mr. Paolinelli, and he found that there were a number of inconsistencies and the evidence that was presented by the Crown,” Crown Prosecutor Douglas Taylor said Tuesday. “At the end of the day, he wasn’t satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the position that the Crown put forward that more happened in the bedroom between Mr. Paolinelli and the young person."
Paolinelli pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation. The charges stem from a drunken night on October 4, 2011.
That night, a number of young hockey players were playing cards – a game that included removing their clothes.
The night allegedly ended with the victim alone in the coach’s bedroom where the drinking continued.
The victim was one of several hockey players living with Paolinelli at the time.
Paolinelli testified in court he had just wanted to talk about hockey that night – however, the victim claimed he was groped and that Paolinelli tried to kiss him.
He will be back in court for sentencing on October 25. The minimum sentence for sexual exploitation is 45 days.
With files from Serena Mah
