5.74°C Vancouver

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

AlbertaJan 08, 2026

Propane leak from Zamboni blamed for explosion at Taber ice arena

Officials in the southern Alberta town of Taber say a propane leak from an ice resurfacing machine triggered an explosion that damaged the community’s main hockey arena earlier this week. According to the town, the leak occurred inside the arena on Dec. 17, allowing propane gas to build up into a cloud. That gas was later ignited by an electric heater, causing a fireball that blew open a garage door, shattered windows and knocked down interior walls separating the facility’s two ice rinks. Town spokesperson Meghan Brennan said more than a dozen people were inside the building at the time o
delta-police-investigate-extortion-related-shooting-no-injuries-reported
BCJan 07, 2026

Delta police investigate extortion-related shooting; no injuries reported

Police in Delta say they are investigating a shooting at a residential property that is believed to be connected to an ongoing extortion case, though no one was injured. Officers were called to a home near 84 Avenue and Brooke Road early Wednesday morning after reports that shots had been fired toward the residence. Police confirmed that several people were inside the home at the time of the incident, but none were hurt. Details about potential suspects or the circumstances surrounding the shooting have not been released. Delta Police say the investigation has been handed over to major crime i
alberta-launches-information-portal-for-proposed-oil-pipeline-to-northwest-b-c-coast
AlbertaJan 07, 2026

Alberta launches information portal for proposed oil pipeline to northwest B.C. coast

The Alberta government has unveiled a new website outlining its vision for a proposed oil pipeline that would carry oilsands crude to the northwest coast of British Columbia, as the province continues early groundwork on the long discussed project. The province says the website is intended to serve as a central source of information and updates, aimed at improving public transparency and countering misinformation. The site includes a section addressing common misconceptions, including claims that construction has already started, that Alberta is financing the full project, or that a final pipe
richmond-rcmp-issue-over-10-000-in-fines-during-crackdown-on-illegal-ride-hailing
BCJan 07, 2026

Richmond RCMP issue over $10,000 in fines during crackdown on illegal ride-hailing

Richmond RCMP say a joint enforcement operation earlier this month led to more than $10,000 in fines as officers targeted unlicensed ride-hailing drivers operating in the city. The January 2 operation was carried out by the detachment’s Road Safety Unit in partnership with Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement. Police say drivers stopped during the initiative received a combined total of $10,615 in fines and penalty points. Vehicles belonging to repeat offenders were also towed from the roadway as part of the enforcement effort. RCMP warn that illegal ride-hailing poses a serious risk to pub
bathinda-court-orders-kangana-ranaut-to-appear-in-defamation-case-rejects-exemption-plea
IndiaJan 07, 2026

Bathinda court orders Kangana Ranaut to appear in defamation case, rejects exemption plea

A special court in Punjab’s Bathinda district has rejected a request by BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut to be exempted from personal appearance in a defamation case filed against her, directing her to be present in court on January 15. The court warned that failure to appear on the scheduled date could result in the cancellation of her bail and the issuance of arrest warrants. The matter is being heard by a special court dealing with cases related to public representatives. The defamation case dates back to 2021 and was filed by Mahinder Kaur, a 70-year-old resident of Bahadurgarh Jandian vi

Related News