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-Foirmeir teacher gets year in j ail B' S;TFPHANFr 'rî.1F5!SF-ý Thýe -ChampiJ.on A former Milton teacher con- victed of sexually assaulting a 13- year-old girl was sentenced Wednesday to a year ini jail. "He's the author of bis own demise," said defence lawyer Gerald Logan during sub- unissions at Ontario provincial court in Brampton. Mr. Logan bad asked Judge William Sharpe for a conditional sentence in the 15- month range rather than a jail tenn, but was told that wasn't appropriate. "Despite you being a teacher, you uill conducted yourself in this manner," Judge Sharpe told Manuel Zarate, 34. Altbough Judge Sharpe said be took into consideration the fact that the girl was a "willing participant," he told thse court that if the girl bad known Mr. Zarate's correct age and that he was married, she wouldn't have had sex witb him. Mr. Zarate, 34, was charged ini April, 2002 witb uexual assauit and sexual inter- ference of a minor. In iuly, Judge Sharpe convicted him of sexual asisult. The sec- ond charge was stayed. At the time of the incident, Mr. Zarate was a computer sci- ence teacher at Milton District High School. Mr. Zarate admitted throughout thc trial Uiat he had consensual sex with a prmntcd because of a court ban in January, 2002 at Halton Motel in Mississauga after meeting ber in an on-line chat roomn. But be maintained Uiat be didn't know ber real age. (M.Zarate) succuimbed to bwnan frail- ties and gave in to temptation Uiat led down a slippery paUi Uiat be's nov reacbed Uic bottoun of. This is a bumiliated, broken man," Mr. Logan saui of bis client. Crown attorney N. J. Bridge reminded the court Uiat Judge Sharpe bad ruled that Mr. Zarate badn't taken reasonable steps to detennine the girlus age. "As a teacher, he knows (a girls) age and physical developinent don't always corre- spond," Ms Bridge said. "He also knows die vulnerability of a 13-year-old." She said althougb Uiere was evidence to suggest thc girl consented, that was with a man she Uiougbs was 18 and unmarried. "Be lured ber there, telling ber Uiings like he was M8" court beard. "For him to suggest she was pressuring bim and she caused hini to (eventually bave sex with ber) is sundennining bis reuponublty" Ms Bridge presented Mr. Zarate as un- repentant, reminding Uic court Uiat be trued to avoid being caugbt by clearing bis comn- puter of e-mails and chat room conversa- tions that had been exchanged between bora and Uic girl. court tbat Mr. Zarate bas sbown signs of remorse and bas taken responsibility for bis actions, neyer denying Uiat Uic incident occurred. He sairi there was no predatouy nature involved in Uie incident. "There was no coercion or pressure (to Uic girl to have sex), no position of trust, no luring. It was a mutual agreement between Uic two parties. BoUi seemeti to be gctting a kick out of it," Mr. Logan said. 'Me penalties Mr. Zarate bas already faced sbould be taken into account, Mr. Logan said - for example. losing bis job. "He taugbt for four years,' Mr. Logan said. "His job ended Uic day after bis arrest. He was barred froun bis profession indefi- nitely, 1 suspect, following bis conviction. Hlis chosen career as a teacher bas failen by Uic wayside." The public humiliation Mr. Zarate endureti resulted in Uie relocation of bis family - he bas a wife and a 14-monUi- old son - Mr. Logan said. And, since Mr. Zarate is a religious man, be's also dealing wiUi personal guist over bis actions, court beard. Mr. Logan bad argued Uiat since Mr. Zarate is Uic sole provider for bis wife and son, he wouldn't be Uic only person to suf- fer as a result of a jail termi. Stephanie Thiessen con be reached at sthiessen@miltons-anadianchampion.com. The Canadian Champion, Fnday, October 10, 2003--5 r 0j1ýi We Have Exciting New Giftware! Corne in and find that "one-of-a-kind" gift Gourmet foods - Belgian chocolate Blown glass ornaments -Unique eeramics Christmas Home Decor And More.. 487 Laurier Ave. www.karensflowershop.com 905-878-2881 1-888-878-2881 'Dr. c4ngdiýka 'kaed& Cfiwpractar M "Neyer disturb the alligator until youlve 1ý* crossed the river" 3 11 'Martin.Street, 'Miltan (905) 878-5165 Look for our many in-store specials on Connelty Pool Tabes and accessonies, Condor Dart Boards, Carromn Garne Tables and Board garnes. Pool Tables from only $1699 Sale ends l9th OCT. 203 S475 ManStmut Est I L!!L.J905.S03.SS0B NOUS.L Mon.- i lOun-Stin, Sut. lOun-5pm, Sn. llam-4pn I FPgJUZM tIPffOiIJiUS AVAUMBL, GALL 1-877tubs 871 nul. 35. Al products nuy not bu avall858 at all ttti Pruu nan Y". Products muy not bu eact us sbuan. ùît qunttue available Pmemium Quality and Freshness Guaranteed SMIRI1fMafl ONtrO St (9o)e.3-9207 I ~ I ~ j- f i FmLOWaEd ukugMme S auce19