A 64-year-old Estevan man pleaded guilty to sexual assault charges, stemming back from incidents more than 30 years ago.
Joseph Glasser appeared in Estevan provincial court on March 14, having already entered his guilty plea.
Joseph Glasser was the Grade 6 and 7 school teacher of the complainant, a boy whose identity is protected under a publication ban. The complainant was 14 at the time these incidents took place and was no longer Glasser's student.
He was a friend of the complainant's mother. During a night when he stayed at the family house, he was allowed by the family to sleep in the same room as the boy, who had a bunk bed. That was the first occurrence when Glasser touched and stroked the complainant in an inappropriate way.
This happened about 20 times over the course of about two years, in the complainant's bedroom and in a tent while camping.
"The complainant said that the first time it happened, he didn't say anything," said Crown prosecutor Bill Burge. "He says the second time he did confront (Glasser) and said 'no,' but it did continue."
The matter has come to light because the complainant, now married, told his wife about the incidents in summer 2010. She persuaded him to go to the police, and after an investigation the matter has gone quickly through the court system with a guilty plea.
"The complainant has been troubled by what happened. He has been troubled ever since. (Glasser), being a friend of the family, someone who had taught the complainant, someone who was allowed to sleep in the same room as the complainant, it is my submission the accused was in a position of trust. The complainant was under 18 at the time. Both of those are aggravating factors."
Adding to those aggravating factors, Burge said was the number of incidents of a period of time. He suggested a custodial sentence of 12 months.
Burge called Glasser a "high-functioning adult," saying that is a reflection on the moral wrongfulness of his actions.
Glasser's lawyer noted the time since the incidents. He said Glasser is a low-risk to re-offend, seeing as how he hasn't re-offended in more than 30 years. He said Glasser isn't the same man he was in his 20s and has lived longer after the offences than he had before the offences.
The defence asked for a community sentence, as Glasser isn't a threat. The defence said a community sentence like house arrest isn't a free ride.
Judge Jeffrey Kalmakoff, who was presiding reserved sentencing until March 31.
