Post by : Meena Ariff

Duff Friesen, the former leader of the Christian Centre Academy in Saskatoon, could be sentenced to jail for assaulting a student nearly two decades earlier, as discussed during his sentencing hearing.

A prosecutor representing the Crown requested an eight-month jail sentence, followed by two years of probation, while Friesen's lawyer, Daniel Mol, advocated for a conditional discharge, which wouldn't result in a criminal record if Friesen adheres to certain conditions.

In May, a jury in the Saskatoon Court of King’s Bench found Friesen guilty of one count of assault, while acquitting him of three others. Justice Natasha Crooks has delayed her sentencing decision until December 18.

A publication ban imposed by the court restricts reporting on trial evidence and victim impact statements because Friesen is scheduled for a second jury trial in September 2026. He also faces seven additional assault charges from his time at the now-legacy-named Valour Academy, previously known as Christian Centre Academy, linked to Mile Two Church, now Encounter Church.

Friesen is among three former school officials facing allegations or convictions related to assaults on students from the early 2000s. There are claims that physical punishments included a wooden paddle.

John Olubobokun, a former director, was convicted for using a wooden paddle on students, and he received an 18-month conditional sentence on November 20. His subsequent trial on two additional assault charges will commence on December 2.

Ken Schultz, former vice-principal and director, faces charges of assault with a weapon for reportedly using a wooden paddle, as well as a sexual assault charge. His trials are scheduled for May and June 2026.

Earlier this year, a judge in Saskatoon threw out a $25 million class-action lawsuit initiated in 2022 against Legacy Christian Academy and Mile Two Church, citing that plaintiffs had not disclosed previous settlements involving three defendants.

#Education #CNI News #Canada News