STONY PLAIN — A teacher and hockey coach who pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old hockey player is undergoing a sentencing hearing.
Robert Paolinelli, 42, agreed to the guilty plea in exchange for the Crown dropping charges of sexual assault and unlawful confinement.
However, Paolinelli’s lawyer, Brian Vale, disputes the allegations being made by the teenager, who told court on Monday he was living with Paolinelli in October 2011.
He alleges Paolinelli tried to kiss him, grope his genitals and offered to perform sexual acts.
Vale argues both the teenager and Paolinelli were drunk at the time and that the youth may not be remembering details correctly.
Vale says all Paolinelli did was put his hand on the boy’s leg, but the teenager says he stands by his accusation.