B.C. teacher guilty of luring and sexually exploiting student
A former teacher at an elite private boarding school on Vancouver Island has been found guilty of luring and sexually exploiting a student.
Andrew Olson lived and taught at at Shawnigan Lake School, where he was both a teacher and a house director, living on campus and responsible for boarding students
A year ago he was charged with six counts, including abuse of authority or trust and child luring — all in relation to one student. Olson had pleaded not guilty.
He was found guilty Wednesday in court in Duncan of five charges. He was acquitted of one charge of causing bodily harm.
"The charges are specific to sexual exploitation," Crown lawyer Leah Fontaine said Thursday.
"Given that he was in a position of trust or authority, he did use that position to basically exploit or take advantage of the young person for sexual purposes."
Fontaine said she wasn't surprised by the decision.
"He was a teacher. He was basically a house parent, and this was a student at the school. Although she wasn't his direct student, when you're in a boarding type situation, all the teachers are acting in the place of parents."
Fontaine said Olson will likely face jail time for the offences — a minimum of 90 days. His next court appearance is slated for May 31st.
With files from Farrah Merali.
