Warning: This story contains references to sexual abuse.
The licence of a now-retired teacher in the Brantford, Ont., area has been revoked after he admitted to sexually abusing a student between 1995 and 1998.
Michael Sardine, who was with the Grand Erie District School Board, didn’t attend the Ontario College of Teachers’ disciplinary hearing on Monday. But through his lawyer, Sardine pleaded “no contest,” meaning he agreed with a statement of facts that outlined the abuse.
Lawyer Jordan Stone, representing the college, said it was clear Sardine sexually, emotionally and psychologically abused the student, whose identity is protected under a publication ban. The student’s age at the time of the abuse and school she attended have also not been released.
The school board covers Norfolk, Haldimand and Brant counties in southern Ontario, as well as Brantford.
The misconduct began when Sardine pursued a sexual relationship with the student, and groomed her by giving her gifts and taking her to restaurants and events outside of school hours, and then to his house, Stone said.
Sardine would discuss living with her and marrying each other, “ultimately culminating in sexual abuse.
“It’s disgraceful, dishonourable misconduct.”
Ex-teacher was still certified
Sardine’s lawyer, Austen Metcalfe, told the disciplinary committee that his client had no comments or submissions to add.
The victim also didn’t speak at the hearing and wasn’t required to testify because Sardine had pleaded no contest, Stone said.
Sardine has been retired since 2021, but still held a certificate of qualification.
The disciplinary committee revoked the certificate so he won’t be allowed to teach again and will issue a written reprimand. These are the harshest penalties the college can use and are mandatory under provincial registration when a teacher is found guilty of sexual misconduct.
Sardine became a teacher in 1988 and taught English and dramatic arts, says the college’s website. He doesn’t have a prior history of being disciplined.
Because he’s already not teaching, Sardine’s sentence will serve more as a general deterrent, rather than a specific deterrent, said Stone.
Revoking his licence is “sending a very serious message to the member and the profession and the public that conduct of this nature cannot be tolerated in any way, share or form,” he said.
Neither Brantford police nor Ontario Provincial Police’s West Region was aware of any criminal investigations involving Sardine as of July.
For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via this Government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
