Former Sask. ed assistant released on bail pending appeal of convictions for sexual crimes against teens
A former small-town Saskatchewan educational assistant convicted of sexual crimes against teen boys has been released on bail as she awaits the outcome of her appeal.
Following a Regina trial in March, a jury found Stacey Duke guilty on two counts of exploitation, two counts of making sexually explicit material available to a child and two counts of luring.
She received a 28-month prison sentence that was handed down earlier this month by Court of King's Bench Justice Neil Robertson, who stayed the luring charges based on a legal principle that states a person cannot be convicted of more than one offence for the same act.
The two victims were once students of Vibank Regional School where Duke formerly worked as an educational assistant. They cannot be identified due to a standard publication ban.
As a result, their names, specific ages and other information has been withheld.
A key issue at trial was whether Duke had been in a position of trust or authority over the boys at the time of the offences, all of which were found to have occurred in the fall of 2022. Each charge required the Crown to prove Duke was in a position of trust or authority over the related victim at the time of the alleged offence.
Very shortly after she was sentenced, Duke filed an appeal, suggesting Robertson made errors in the handling of her case.
Along with that, she filed a notice of application for bail, stating her intention to seek release while her appeal is pending.
According to a document obtained by the Regina Leader-Post, the Crown consented to Duke's release on conditions, after which the Court of Appeal issued an order for her release dated June 13.
Duke is subject to a series of conditions that she must abide by while on release.
They include: keeping the peace and being of good behaviour; attending court when required; notifying the court of any change in address; having no contact with a number of people associated with the case; and not mentioning the case, witnesses, or appeal on social media.
Duke is to have no contact 'electronically' with anyone under age 17, except for immediate family members.
Her conditions also include some aimed at stopping her from consuming alcohol or drugs not prescribed to her. At trial, Duke testified that she suffered from a drinking problem as well as depression and anxiety at the relevant time.
She must also file appeal paperwork on time, not leave the province, and surrender into custody should the outcome of her appeal dictate she must serve time.
bharder@postmedia.com
Former Sask. educational assistant gets 28-month sentence for sex crimes against teens
Stacey Duke appeals conviction of sexual crimes against teens, seeks bail
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