Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Former Spruce Grove teacher and hockey coach, Robert Paolinelli, entered a guilty plea on Wednesday to a sex related charge against a teenager.
When asked as he was leaving the Stony Plain courthouse if there was anything he'd like to say, the 42 year-old just replied with "no comment."
On October 9th, Paolinelli was charged by Stony Plain RCMP with sexual exploitation, sexual assault and forcible confinement in connection with an incident which allegedly occured six days earlier. Because of Paolinelli's guilty plea, the Crown will be withdrawing the sexual assault and unlawful confinement charges.
Global News has learned Paolinelli has resigned from his teaching position.
He formerly coached hockey in Spruce Grove, and had been coaching hockey in St. Albert at the time he was charged. The crimes he has been accused of have left those who played for him especially shocked.
"I was surprised to find out that he was charged," says one former player who did not want to be identified. "He was just a nice, young guy who liked to make friends with the players and have fun.
"There was no indication of anything when I knew him. If there was, I'm sure, or I hope, people would've come forward. But I don't think this case or cases like it in the media are reason to be suspicious of every hockey coach around," he adds.
Those who work with victims stress the importance of being vigilant without being paranoid, and urge young victims to always come forward in situations of abuse.
"Letting kids know that it's not all right for people to touch them or to hurt them where they don't want to be touched or hurt," says Karen Smith of the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. "So kids are coming forward. It's still really difficult because very often the person that is touching them is someone they love and trust."
The facts of what really happened in Paolinelli's case will be determined by a judge at an upcoming sentencing hearing.
Meanwhile, Paolinelli is also being investigated by Prince Rupert RCMP on what they describe as allegations of historical sexual assault relating to his time as a coach with the Prince Rupert Minor Hockey Association.
When asked as he was leaving the Stony Plain courthouse if there was anything he'd like to say, the 42 year-old just replied with "no comment."
On October 9th, Paolinelli was charged by Stony Plain RCMP with sexual exploitation, sexual assault and forcible confinement in connection with an incident which allegedly occured six days earlier. Because of Paolinelli's guilty plea, the Crown will be withdrawing the sexual assault and unlawful confinement charges.
Global News has learned Paolinelli has resigned from his teaching position.
He formerly coached hockey in Spruce Grove, and had been coaching hockey in St. Albert at the time he was charged. The crimes he has been accused of have left those who played for him especially shocked.
"I was surprised to find out that he was charged," says one former player who did not want to be identified. "He was just a nice, young guy who liked to make friends with the players and have fun.
"There was no indication of anything when I knew him. If there was, I'm sure, or I hope, people would've come forward. But I don't think this case or cases like it in the media are reason to be suspicious of every hockey coach around," he adds.
Those who work with victims stress the importance of being vigilant without being paranoid, and urge young victims to always come forward in situations of abuse.
"Letting kids know that it's not all right for people to touch them or to hurt them where they don't want to be touched or hurt," says Karen Smith of the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. "So kids are coming forward. It's still really difficult because very often the person that is touching them is someone they love and trust."
The facts of what really happened in Paolinelli's case will be determined by a judge at an upcoming sentencing hearing.
Meanwhile, Paolinelli is also being investigated by Prince Rupert RCMP on what they describe as allegations of historical sexual assault relating to his time as a coach with the Prince Rupert Minor Hockey Association.
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