A former Toronto elementary school teacher has been found not guilty of sexual assault and sexual interference.
Mary Gowans, 42, had been accused of having a sexual relationship with one of her former students who was 15 at the time.
During her trial the teenager, who is now 18 years old, testified that he began babysitting for Gowans after he entered high school and soon entered into a relationship with her that included sexual touching, kissing and the exchange of hundreds of text messages.
Gowans, however, contended that the student made up the story after he groped her and she turned him down.
Ontario Superior Court Justice John McMahon sided with Gowans and rendered his verdict Friday morning.
Mary Gowans, 42, had been accused of having a sexual relationship with one of her former students who was 15 at the time.
During her trial the teenager, who is now 18 years old, testified that he began babysitting for Gowans after he entered high school and soon entered into a relationship with her that included sexual touching, kissing and the exchange of hundreds of text messages.
Gowans, however, contended that the student made up the story after he groped her and she turned him down.
Ontario Superior Court Justice John McMahon sided with Gowans and rendered his verdict Friday morning.
