Skip to Main content

8.66°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Apr 24, 2025 12:39 PM - The Canadian Press

Six-year sentence restored for former Alberta school headmaster guilty of sex assault

Share On

six-year-sentence-restored-for-former-alberta-school-headmaster-guilty-of-sex-assault

Sheppard was sentenced to six years in prison, but the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled it was unfit and reduced the term to just under four years.

Canada's highest court has restored a six-year prison sentence for a former headmaster of a defunct boys' school in Alberta who sexually assaulted a student. Paul Sheppard was convicted in 2021 of sex offences against the Grade 7 student at Saint John's School of Alberta, southwest of Edmonton, between 1993 and 1994.

The victim, Steacy Easton, was granted a court application to have a publication ban on their name removed. Sheppard was sentenced to six years in prison, but the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled it was unfit and reduced the term to just under four years. The Supreme Court of Canada says the original six-year term is re-instated and Sheppard must turn himself in to authorities by Friday. Sheppard's trial heard he watched the victim shower and spanked the student as a means of punishment.

Latest news

two-vancouver-men-charged-after-cfseu-bc-investigation-targets-fentanyl-trafficking-network

Two Vancouver men charged after CFSEU-BC investigation targets fentanyl trafficking network

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia says two Vancouver men are facing multiple drug trafficking charges after a months-long investigation that disrupted an organized network accused of distributing fentanyl and other illicit substances across the Lower Mainland. The investigation began in February 2024 after CFSEU-BC’s Anti-Trafficking Task Force identified a suspect believed to be supplying large amounts of fentanyl and other drugs through a coordinated network. On October 2, 2024, police executed search warrants at two homes in the region, seizing more than thr

man-found-not-criminally-responsible-in-2023-vancouver-chinatown-festival-stabbings

Man found not criminally responsible in 2023 Vancouver Chinatown festival stabbings

A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled that a man who stabbed three people during a Vancouver Chinatown festival in 2023 is not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder. Justice Eric Gottardi delivered the decision Friday, saying the law does not convict people for acts committed while they are mentally ill. The ruling concerns 67-year-old Blair Donnelly, whose trial heard he believed he was acting under divine instruction when he carried out the attack last September. Court testimony showed Donnelly had asked the Holy Spirit for a sign not to proceed, but said he “wanted to obey God”

alberta-pays-95-million-to-settle-another-coal-policy-lawsuit-total-payouts-near-240-million

AlbertaOct 24, 2025

Alberta pays $95 million to settle another coal policy lawsuit, total payouts near $240 million

The Alberta government has agreed to pay $95 million to Evolve Power, resolving another lawsuit linked to the province’s reversal of its coal policy. The latest settlement brings total payouts to almost $240 million, following a $143 million agreement reached earlier this year with another mining company. According to a notice to shareholders, Evolve Power will return two coal leases to the province as part of the deal. The company said the agreement represents the best possible outcome and that its board will soon determine dividends for shareholders. Energy Minister Brian Jean’s office c

fraser-valley-hospital-begins-4-95m-mri-upgrade-to-improve-diagnostic-access

Fraser Valley hospital begins $4.95M MRI upgrade to improve diagnostic access

Patients across the Fraser Valley will soon benefit from faster and more accurate diagnostic imaging as Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre undergoes a $4.95 million upgrade to its MRI unit. The project aims to enhance imaging quality and reduce wait times for residents needing critical scans. During the construction period, a mobile MRI unit will remain on site to ensure uninterrupted service. The hospital’s existing MRI scanner, which has surpassed its expected lifespan, will be fully refurbished using its original magnet – the most energy-intensive component to produce – wh

statistics-canada-delays-trade-data-release-as-u-s-government-shutdown-halts-information-flow

CanadaOct 24, 2025

Statistics Canada delays trade data release as U.S. government shutdown halts information flow

Statistics Canada says it is postponing the release of Canada’s international trade figures due to a lack of data from the United States, where a government shutdown has disrupted operations at the U.S. Census Bureau. The federal agency said it normally depends on U.S. import data to calculate Canadian export volumes but has not received updated information since the shutdown began in early October over a budget standoff in Congress. As a result, trade statistics for September, originally scheduled for publication on November 4, will be delayed. Statistics Canada said it will not be able to

Related News

Alberta pays $95 million to settle another coal policy lawsuit, total payouts near $240 million

Alberta pays $95 million to settle another coal policy lawsuit, total payouts near $240 million

The Alberta government has agreed to pay $95 million to Evolve Power, resolving another lawsuit linked to the province’s reversal of its coal policy. The latest settlement brings total payouts to almost $240 million, following a $143 million agreement reached earlier this year with another mining company. According to a notice to shareholders, Evolve Power will return two coal leases to the province as part of the deal. The company said the agreement represents the best possible outcome and that its board will soon determine dividends for shareholders. Energy Minister Brian Jean’s office c

Statistics Canada delays trade data release as U.S. government shutdown halts information flow

Statistics Canada delays trade data release as U.S. government shutdown halts information flow

Statistics Canada says it is postponing the release of Canada’s international trade figures due to a lack of data from the United States, where a government shutdown has disrupted operations at the U.S. Census Bureau. The federal agency said it normally depends on U.S. import data to calculate Canadian export volumes but has not received updated information since the shutdown began in early October over a budget standoff in Congress. As a result, trade statistics for September, originally scheduled for publication on November 4, will be delayed. Statistics Canada said it will not be able to

Ottawa man charged in alleged immigration fraud case; police warn of possible victims across Canada

Ottawa man charged in alleged immigration fraud case; police warn of possible victims across Canada

Ottawa Police have charged a 35-year-old man following an investigation into several alleged cases of immigration fraud dating back to early 2024. Police say the suspect, identified as Vinay Pal Singh Brar of Ottawa, is accused of posing as an immigration consultant and defrauding multiple individuals between January and July 2024. He faces several charges, including two counts each of fraud over $5,000 and possession of stolen property over $5,000, along with assault, assault by choking, and uttering threats. Investigators report that Brar also used several aliases including Gagandeep Singh,

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital