Sentence delayed for ex-principal guilty on charges involving boys
A former high school principal from New Brunswick's Miramichi area will have to wait another two weeks for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to enticing boys to send nude photos of themselves over the internet.
Kirk Matheson, 37, pleaded guilty to using a computer to contact two underage boys, in separate incidents, for the purpose of committing an offence between February and April.
The RCMP say Matheson, who was the principal and volleyball coach at North and South Esk Regional High School in Sunny Corner, posed on the internet as a woman and tried to entice boys to send him nude photos of themselves.
Court ended on Tuesday without a decision after the Crown and defence argued over what his sentence should be.
The judge's decision will be announced Nov. 26.
Matheson, who is no longer listed as the principal on the school's website, had also been facing charges of possession of child pornography and attempting to commission child pornography, but they were dropped.
Investigators had identified two alleged victims from the Miramichi area.
One of the victims read a impact statement in court saying his world came crashing down when he found out his online contact was his male principal, reported the CBC's Jennifer Choi.
He said he has nightmares and doesn't trust faculty.
The Crown prosecutor said Matheson duped his victims and breached their trust.
The defence started the day by reading letters of support on Matheson's behalf. The letters from family members said he loved teaching and had high morals, but had trouble accepting his sexuality.
The defence also Matheson has been traumatized by the ordeal.
Matheson, who was arrested at his home on April 20, has not been in custody while awaiting sentencing.
But the court ordered him to follow strict conditions, including staying away from the school, having no direct or indirect contact with anyone under the age of 18, with the exception of his niece and nephew in the presence of one of their parents, and not to use a computer or any other data-sharing device.
