Teacher abuses trust for year of sex

A female teacher’s year-long sexual relationship with a male student led to a guilty plea Friday in Sarnia court.

Melissa Lefebvre, 38, pleaded guilty to touching the student for a sexual purpose while in a position of authority over him during 2016 and 2017. This offence is intended to protect young people between the ages of 16 and 18 from being sexually exploited by a person in a position of trust or authority.

A pre-sentence report was ordered following presentation of an agreed statement of facts. Sentencing was set for Sept. 10.

Lefebvre was a French teacher and student council liaison at Northern Collegiate Institute and Vocational School. The Lambton-Kent District School Board placed her on leave when the investigation started, and she was banned from being on any school board property.

She was charged in July 2017.

Further action will be taken by the board in accordance with the Student Protection Act that deals with the sexual abuse of students.

The agreed facts stated the secret relationship began when the boy was 16. There were approximately 20 sexual encounters between the two, including oral sex and intercourse at the woman’s home, the boy’s home and in her vehicle at local parks.

Lefebrve would often pick him up at an agreed location following his participation in student sports.

The relationship was uncovered when a person became suspicious of the contact between the two. The boy admitted the relationship when interviewed by police.

Lefebvre had told him she loved him but stressed the relationship had to be kept a secret. The boy, dealing with low self-esteem, agreed. He lied to his parents to maintain that secrecy  (more...)

Teacher abuses trust for year of sex