A sentencing hearing for an Abbotsford teacher who sent suggestive text messages to a female student has been adjourned until March 9.
The hearing for Martin Careen, 51, was scheduled to take place Wednesday morning in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster, but his lawyer asked for more time to review a psychological report that was recently completed.
Careen's trial began in September 2010 and was not completed until July of this year, due to numerous delays. If the sentencing goes ahead in March, the process will have taken almost 18 months.
Careen was convicted of invitation to sexual touching based on a series of text messages sent to a 17-year-old student in January 2009 when he was a teacher at St. John Brebeuf Regional Secondary – a private Catholic school.
Careen taught religion, history and comparative studies.
At first, the texts between him and the student addressed an upcoming history exam and other school work, but they became sexual in nature.
Careen denied sending the suggestive messages, saying he had left his cellphone on the kitchen table, and others in his home had access to it.
Justice Terrence Schultes said at the time of his verdict that he found Careen's defence "implausible."
The Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese has banned Careen from teaching in the Catholic school system.