Boere to be sentenced in March

Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative

“I know I have hurt your family. I think about it every day and literally will for the rest of my life,” says Gillian Boere.

The former Petrolia teacher wrote these words in a Facebook message to the mother of her victim – words used as evidence as she was found guilty of taking advantage of her relationship with a teenaged boy.

“I will never forgive myself on how this has affected him, ever.” 

Boere was found guilty of sexual exploitation in a Sarnia court on Jan. 28 after four encounters over the summer of 2019. Sexual exploitation charges are laid when a person is a position of trust or authority to a minor according to the Criminal Code.

Boere was elementary school teacher in Petrolia but the 16-year-old male was not a student. There is a publication ban on any evidence which might identify the teen including how they knew each other.

Court heard the encounters began after the break up of Boere’s marriage. The teen visited her home and she began to cry. He asked her if she needed a hug, which last five to 10 minutes. The two then shared a kiss before the teen left. Court heard she told the teen not to say anything about the incident because she could be in trouble.

There were two other sexual encounters, one which the judge found sexual touching had taken place the other where there was intercourse.

The teen distanced himself from Boere after having sex in the 34 year-old’s her car in August.

Boere who had faced four charges was found guilty of the single count of sexual exploitation.

A pre-sentence report was ordered as the court prepares to decide on a punishment. The case was adjourned until March.