Card 009: breach of the law “same crime, same sentence” — teacher and child, the same offence · British Columbia · he — 2 years less a day in jail, she — 2 years less a day at home

teacher and child, the same offence · British Columbia · 2018 / 2014 · he — pleaded guilty, 2 years less a day in jail; she — pleaded guilty, 2 years less a day at home.

Both were teachers in British Columbia. Both pleaded guilty to the same offence — sexual interference with a child. The term is the same for both: 2 years less a day.

He was a music teacher, 53. His student was 15; there were five acts of intercourse. He showed remorse. The term is served in jail. The Court of Appeal upheld it.

She was an elementary school teacher. Her former student was 11–13; 4–5 times, up to oral sex. It happened in 1998–2001. She showed remorse. The Crown asked for 3 years in jail. The term is served at home.

Details: both decisions, the law, what happened after

He

Case: R. v. Dodd
Citation: 2018 BCCA 500
Court: Court of Appeal for British Columbia; sentence — Provincial Court
Date of decision: 2018-06-11
Charge: sexual interference with a child (Criminal Code s. 151)
Outcome: pleaded guilty
Sentence: 2 years less a day in jail
Facts: Music teacher, 53; grade 9 student, 15; five acts of intercourse, one at school. 2 years less a day in custody and 2 years of probation; appeal dismissed (paras. 1–4, 12, 38).
Decision: https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcca/doc/2018/2018bcca500/2018bcca500.html

She

Case: R. v. Ralph
Citation: 2014 BCSC 467
Court: Supreme Court of British Columbia
Date of decision: 2014-03-20
Charge: sexual interference with a child under 14 (Criminal Code s. 151)
Outcome: pleaded guilty
Sentence: 2 years less a day at home
Facts: Elementary school teacher; former student aged 11–13; 4–5 times, up to oral sex; 1998–2001. The Crown asked for 3 years in jail (paras. 1–5, 7, 108).
Decision: https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcsc/doc/2014/2014bcsc467/2014bcsc467.html

Law

same crime, same sentence — Criminal Code s. 718.2(b) — https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/section-718.2.html
everyone is equal before the law and the courts — Charter s. 15 — https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-12.html
the same rights for men and women — Charter s. 28 — https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-12.html

After

The Court of Appeal upheld his jail term (2018 BCCA 500). No appeal decision in her case is on CanLII (checked 17.10.2026). — https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcca/doc/2018/2018bcca500/2018bcca500.html

Machine version: /api/v1/009.json · added 2026-10-17