Former teacher jailed on child pornography charges
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Updated: November 16, 2009 3:37 PM
Former Prince George Secondary School teacher Michael R. Gardiner, 61, was convicted on Friday of the possession and distribution of child pornography.
Gardiner was sentenced to nine months in jail and three years of probation for the charges. Prince George Teachers' Association Linda Naess said Gardiner's arrest on March 7, 2008 shocked coworkers.
"The staff at the school was very surprised. He was a quiet, regular guy that everybody liked," Naess said.
Gardiner resigned after being charged, Naess said, otherwise he would have been stripped of his teaching license.
"We view it as very serious. It hits the papers, as it should, because as teachers we're in a position of trust."
Gardiner was arrested following a joint investigation by the Prince George RCMP serious crimes unit, B.C. Integrated Child Exploitation Unit and Toronto Police Services sex crimes unit.
Following the arrest last year, Prince George School District chairman Lyn Hall said that Gardiner had taught for the district for, "a fairly long time."
Hall couldn't comment on what grades or classes Gardiner taught. However, he said, the district was not aware of any student complaints of sexual misconduct by Gardiner.
"First and foremost our concern is for student safety," Hall said. "Mr. Gardiner hasn't been in the classroom since the incident broke and the RCMP arrested him. We feel confident the students are safe."
Hall was not available for comment following Gardiner's sentencing on Friday.
