Victims share how former Moncton teacher's sex crimes changed their lives

WARNING: This article contains details of abuse.

Two of the victims of a former teacher stood in a Moncton courtroom Wednesday to describe how their lives have been changed by his crimes.

Paul Maillet, 78, was found guilty in January of 17 sex crimes, including gross indecency, sexual touching, indecent assault, sexual assault and possession of child pornography.  

The crimes are believed to have occurred between 1967 and 2022 and involved nine victims, who cannot be identified in this case because of a publication ban.

Maillet had faced 27 charges, but the Crown withdrew several as the trial unfolded.

'You changed my life forever'

The first man described being sexually assaulted by Maillet as a 12-year-old student.

"My ex-wife said it was time to face my demon," he said. "And that's what I'm doing today."

He said Maillet picked him up at a gas station and brought him to his house,"then you sexually assaulted me," he said, addressing Maillet directly.

"You, Paul Maillet, got upset because I refused to masturbate you."

The man said he suffered from suicidal thoughts, depression and anxiety, all stemming from what happened.

He also said he failed classes as a result and felt he was treated differently in school.

"I lost trust in authority," he said. "I viewed all male teachers as pedophiles."

A second man, who said Maillet taught him in Grade 6, also spoke to the court.

He said Maillet touched him sexually and robbed him of something when he was forced to describe his own sexual experiences in detail to Maillet.

"His manipulation and abuse resulted in me losing a very important part of my childhood's innocence," the man said. "He robbed me of ever discovering crucial elements of my sexuality all on my own."

He continued by saying that he is now "anxious, scared and extra cautious" to ensure that his own son and daughter don't experience the abuse he did.

Maillet also addressed court 

When given the opportunity by Justice Jean-Paul Ouellette, Maillet also addressed the court.

Speaking in French, he said he was 21 or 22 years old when he began leading a school in Moncton, and that some of students were "close enough in age that you could almost be friends."

He said it was common to become familiar with students and to be "part of the gang, to laugh and to, perhaps as a consequence, make mistakes."

In his statement, he also said that he has carried the incident that the first victim described with him his entire life.

"I remember him well," he said. "I regret that I was not able to see, during that time, what it could do later on."

The victim in question laughed out loud in court as Maillet said that.

Sentence expected next week

Although Ouellette's decision on a sentence was expected by Thursday, it's been delayed to give him more time to consider all of the statements.

Crown prosecutors suggested Maillet be sentenced to 14 years in prison, adding a long list of conditions, such as prohibiting contact with the victims for 20 years, or anyone under the age of 16, unless supervised.

The defence suggested a term of seven years. 

Maillet's lawyer, Gilles Lemieux, described some of his client's health issues, such as problems with his lungs, hearing and vision.

He said in French that at 78, sentencing Maillet to a lengthier stay in prison would be "a death sentence."

A decision is expected on March 24.