Former Saskatoon Christian school director gets 18-month conditional sentence for assaults on students

The former director of a Saskatoon private Christian school who was found guilty of assaulting students with a wooden paddle will serve an 18-month jail sentence in the community.

John Olubobokun, 62, was sentenced on Thursday in Saskatoon provincial court.

A conditional sentence means he will serve his jail time while living in the community under supervision and conditions. 

Using a paddle to hit children is ultimately “demeaning and harmful,” Judge Lisa Watson remarked during the sentencing hearing. She said she would allow him to serve the sentence at home because his risk to reoffend is low and he won’t be a danger to others.

In July, Olubobokun was found guilty of nine counts of assault with a weapon for using a wooden paddle to hit students when he was the director at Christian Centre Academy for four years starting in 2003.

Former students said they were often accused of misbehaving and called into the director's office, where he told them to bend over a desk or chair and struck them multiple times with a wooden paddle.

Some students testified they were left bruised. One said the paddle broke during the punishment.

“Obviously, we would have loved to see him serve some time behind bars, but it is what it is,” said Caitlin Erikson, standing with other victims outside court.

“Having the judge point out how serious these offences were — and are — was very validating. I think it speaks volumes that he didn't plead guilty. He had absolutely no remorse.”

Olubobokun’s lawyer, Ron Piche, said the sentence is too harsh and questioned whether his client is being scapegoated.

“This was school policy and the parents were fully aware of scriptural discipline that was being applied at that school,” Piche said outside court, with Olubobokun standing beside him. “Yet my client seems to be holding the bag on this.”

Watson said she considered several aggravating factors in Olubobokun’s sentencing, including the victims’ ages (all under 18), his position of trust and authority and the “significant impact” the assaults had on victims.

For mitigating factors, Watson cited Olubobokun’s previously clean criminal record, his compliance with release conditions since his arrest and contributions to the community.

The school was later renamed Legacy Christian Academy, then Valour Academy. It is closely associated with Mile Two Church, now called Encounter Church.