Wesley Vander Leeuw will learn his sentence on Friday morning. He was found guilty of arranging to commit a sexual offence against a child, luring and child pornography offences on Aug. 13.

His sentencing hearing was Monday in Edmonton.

The crown is asking for a five-year sentence for all charges. Vander Leeuw's lawyer is proposing three years.

One person, who cannot be identified because of a publication ban protecting those affected by Vander Leeuw’s crimes, read out a victim impact statement. 

“I may look and act okay, but on the inside it hurts,” the person said, in part. "You were in a position of trust… You still tried to justify your actions.”

Vander Leeuw was arrested in January 2017 for offences in 2015 and 2016. He pleaded not guilty and his case went to trial in June 2019.

Police say they first received a tip in 2016, which prompted an undercover officer to create an online persona, "Shannon," to message Vander Leeuw.

The court has heard that when Vander Leeuw was arrested, more text conversations were discovered between the accused and an Alberta woman with children. That woman was arrested with regard to what was found and Vander Leeuw had additional charges laid against him.