Former Legacy Christian Academy coach pleads guilty to sex crimes
CTV
A former coach at a private religious school pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Saskatoon Provincial Court on Thursday.
A former coach at a private religious school pleaded guilty to sexual assault at Saskatoon Provincial Court on Thursday.
Aaron Benneweis, 46, a former coach and athletic director at the private school now called Legacy Christian Academy, admitted to sexually assaulting a teen at the school more than 10 years ago, as well as pleading guilty to sexual exploitation.
"I couldn't help but grin in my seat. That felt really, really good," Jennifer Beaudry said. "I didn't know if we'd ever get to the day that I would hear those words."
Victims of sexual assault are typically subject to a publication ban, but Beaudry sought court permission to have her name published.
The sexual encounters happened between 2008 and 2012. They began on Beaudry's 13th birthday. She says Thursday was the first time Benneweis, or any of the three former staff of the school who have been criminally charged, have admitted to their offences.
Benneweis appeared in court by phone. Even though he wasn't in the courtroom, Beaudry felt relieved to hear his lawyers plead guilty on his behalf.
"He sounded defeated … we've been waiting for it," she said of hearing Benneweis' voice for the first time in nearly 11 years.
