The trial of a Cambridge teacher accused of sexually exploting one of the students she taught began Monday in a Kitchener court.
Jacqueline Lavigne, 33, was arrested and charged in 2012 in connection with inappropriate sexual contact with a 17-year-old male student, which allegedly took place in 2011.
She had been a teacher at Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School, and pleaded not guilty Monday in a confident voice.
Court heard that Lavigne and the student began chatting via BlackBerry Messenger in September 2011.
The student – who cannot be named due to a publication ban – testified that the messages became sexual, culminating with Lavigne messaging him to say that her husband was out and he should come over.
He also testified that he was not doing well in Lavigne’s class, and sent her a message saying he would tell others about their conduct if she gave him a failing grade.
Not long after, he told other students about his interactions with Lavigne – followed by school officials and police becoming involved.
The court was also shown a picture of an exposed breast allegedly sent to the student by Lavigne, but it could not be specifically identified as Lavigne’s breast.
Defence lawyer Bill Markle says Lavigne feels “almost a sense of relief” at the case making its way into court.
“She wants to be here. She wants to have the opportunity to declare her innocence, and hopefully she’ll be found innocent,” he tells CTV News.
Lavigne remains on paid leave from the Waterloo Catholic District School Board.
