An 85-year-old former North Vancouver school teacher should receive a double-digit sentence in federal prison for sexually abusing students decades ago, Crown prosecutors have argued.
Brian Moore was convicted on nine sex-related charges, including indecent assault, sexual touching and sexual assault, in April. He had originally been facing a dozen charges.
The court heard the historic assaults involved 11- and 12-year-old boys, mostly while he was working as a teacher at Upper Lynn Valley Elementary between 1970 and 1982.
On Wednesday, Crown prosecutor Eleasha Sabourin said Moore’s actions were calculated and premeditated.
“Mr. Moore’s conduct was planned and practiced. It was the same conduct over and over again,” she told the court.
At trial, the court heard how Moore set up situations during class trips that would allow him to sexually touch his victims.
Former students testified that Moore would insist they be naked during certain activities and would sexually assault them in bed.
Moore’s defence is arguing for a conditional sentence, to be served in the community, of two years less a day.
One victim who agreed to be identified says a prison sentence isn’t necessarily what he’s looking for.
“He’s an 85-year-old guy. He’s fairly decrepit, in a wheelchair, walking with two canes so the idea that he needs to be put in jail I’m kind of past that, personally,” Dennis Cooper said outside the North Vancouver Provincial Court.
“So the day I testified and held him accountable, and (the day) he was charged was more of an impactful moment to make sure that he wasn’t able to just wander into the night quietly.”
The judge is expected to deliver his sentence in August.