Former Sask. Christian school director sentenced to 18 months

WATCH: A former Christian school director was sentenced to 18 months of community service for nine counts of assault with a weapon.

A former director of a private Christian school has been handed an 18-month sentence to be served in the community after being convicted of nine counts of assault with a weapon.

In July, Jonh Olubobokun was found guilty of using a wooden paddle to strike students while serving as director of Christian Centre Academy between 2003 and 2007. The school has since changed its name twice — first to Legacy Christian Academy and later to Valour Academy.

In delivering her decision, Judge Lisa Watson said aggravating factors included that the victims were children at the time, Olubobokun’s position of trust and authority, and the significant impact on those harmed. Mitigating factors included his lack of a prior criminal record, his compliance with release conditions and the fact he has not offended in 18 years.

Defence lawyer Ron Piché had asked for a conditional discharge with an 18-month probation, which would have left Olubobokun without a criminal record if he met court-ordered conditions. Watson rejected that request, saying it would fail to reflect the gravity of the offences and Olubobokun’s responsibility.

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During sentencing arguments last month, Crown prosecutor Sheryl Fillo sought a sentence of two years less a day in jail followed by three years of probation. Olubobokun will not be subject to probation after completing his conditional sentence.

Under his conditions, Olubobokun must complete 150 hours of community service, attend anger-management and personal-counselling programs, and abide by a nightly curfew from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Tensions were high in the packed courtroom before the hearing began, with several people arguing over seats. A sheriff could be heard saying “first come, first served.” An overflow room was eventually opened and also filled to capacity.

Outside the courthouse, former student Caitlin Erickson said she believes justice was served, though she had hoped Olubobokun would receive jail time.

“Obviously we would have loved to see him serve some time behind bars, but it is what it is,” she said. “We’re hoping this highlights why it’s so important to have qualified people educating the most vulnerable people in our society, which is children.”

Fillo called the 18-month community sentence “appropriate.”

“It was certainly within the range, and it was appropriate at 18 months, which was still significant,” she said. “There are various conditions he must abide by, restricting his movements, which I think are significant as well.”

Piché said the sentence is too harsh.

“We don’t think the judge provided enough emphasis on the fact this was school policy, and parents were fully aware of the scriptural discipline being applied at that school,” Piché said.

Paddling was described in court as part of the school’s “scriptural discipline.” In her decision, Watson said Olubobokun chose to carry out the physical punishment himself.

Piché said documents for an appeal have been drafted, but Olubobokun has not yet decided whether he will proceed.

Olubobokun is set to stand a second trial next month for assault with a weapon charges.