Judge gives Saskatchewan teacher community sentence for having sex with student

A former Saskatchewan teacher found guilty of sexually exploiting a Grade 9 student won't be going to jail.

A judge has handed Bonnie McLachlan an 18-month conditional sentence.

She must also complete 200 hours of community service and her name will be listed on the national sex offender registry.

A jury found the woman guilty last week of initiating a sexual relationship with the 15-year-old student at the Prince Albert school where she worked in the 1990s.

It was McLachlan's second trial on the charge – she was acquitted in 2011 and the Crown appealed and won a new trial.

The victim, who is now in his thirties, was not in court for the sentencing decision.

He earlier testified that his first sexual encounter with the married teacher was in her car after a workout at a fitness gym.

The school board later investigated after receiving an anonymous phone call saying there were concerns about McLachlan's behaviour on a school trip to Banff, Alta.