Edmonton teacher sentenced to more than six years for sex crimes with students
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A 29-year-old Catholic school teacher who pleaded guilty to what he called "monstrous" sex crimes against two young girls was sentenced Tuesday to six years and six months in prison.
Piotr Zaloba pleaded guilty in May to numerous charges, including sexual interference, sexual touching, luring a child and publishing child pornography. He admitted he had sex with a 15-year-old girl and pursued a sexual relationship with another girl who was 13.
Before sentence was passed, Zaloba apologized to the victims and their families.
"My actions are disgusting and sickening," he said. "I destroyed futures. I am the only one to blame. I have done monstrous things that I would give anything to take back."
Justice Sterling Sanderman characterized Zaloba's statements as "highly accurate" and made note of his guilty pleas.
"This expression of remorse by Mr. Zoloba is an indication he's not beyond redemption," Sanderman said. "He's not only remorseful for what he's done, but rehabilitation is a possibility."
Sanderman said next to a parent, there is no position of trust greater than a teacher.
"When parents send their children to school, they have an expectation their children will be safe and protected and not subjected to abuse from those that are caring for them," he said.
Both girls and their families filed victim impact statements with the court.
"I was feeling sad, depressed and suicidal, so I told my mom," the 15 year old said in her statement. "She took me to the hospital and they kept me for about a week. I felt used, sad and taken advantage of."
The girl said she has many scars on her body from cutting herself.
The girl's mother said told court her daughter has been bullied for the past two years, and her former friends now call her stupid, desperate, and a slut. She said her daughter has often talked of suicide and no longer feels safe, even at home.
"For over two years, our daughter has been blaming this crime on herself," the woman said. "She now thinks everything is her fault. She feels ashamed and punished. The crime has left our daughter very vulnerable."
In her victim impact statement, the younger girl said: "It feels so unfair that someone in a position of authority that I was to look up to hurt me emotionally in ways that will last a lifetime."
Zaloba's relationship with the older girl began when she was in Grade 8. She was lonely, had self-esteem problems and needed someone to talk to. She approached Zaloba and confided in him, and told him she had thought of killing herself many times.
The relationship continued throughout that school year and the next.
When the girl entered Grade 10 and moved on to another school, she renewed her communications with Zaloba and their relationship became sexual.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Zaloba and the girl talked about marriage and having a child together. He sent her pictures of his penis. She sent him nude pictures of herself. Zaloba's relationship with the 15 year old included more than 5,000 texts and Skype sessions that ranged from graphic photographs to masturbation videos.
At about the same time, Zaloba also pursued a relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
She called herself "Tinkerbell" in text messages and referred to him as "Peter Pan".
On Jan. 3, 2013, he sent her an email saying he was attracted to her.
She sent him a text that read: "Don't call me sexy again" and told him any sort of touching under her clothes was off limits
Zaloba asked the girl to meet him at Boston Pizza on a Friday afternoon for a heart-to-heart talk.
She confided in him: "I told you I am not good with relationships from the start. I am only 13."
He gave her an iTunes gift card so she could buy an iPad
The text messages between them continued. He tried to convince her to have a relationship with him.
At one point he texted, "last ditch effort before I walk into traffic: if I quit being a teacher right now, would you change your decision about us?"
The girl told him no.
"You've entered the wrong crazy man's playground, my dear," he wrote.
For Zaloba, his clandestine relationships came crashing down on March 8, 2013.
That day, the 15 year old was taking a shower at home and Skyping with her former teacher. Her mother came into the room and noticed the iPad propped up.
The girl confessed all to her mother, who immediately called police.
