Former music teacher sentenced to 4 years for sex offences against student

A 37-year-old former music teacher was led out of a Truro, N.S., courtroom in handcuffs Wednesday, sentenced to four years in prison for sex offences against a teenage student who attended the school where she taught.

Nicole MacLeod, a mother of two, previously pleaded guilty to four sex-related charges, along with a breach of conditions, admitting that last year she had sex with the 15-year-old boy when she was a teacher at Tatamagouche Regional Academy in Tatamagouche, N.S.

"These were extreme violations of the physical integrity of the victim, who was entitled not to be taken advantage of by a person in a position of trust and an adult some 20 years older than him," Justice Jeffrey Hunt said in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

The victim wasn't taught by MacLeod, but the two began connecting on Facebook about school-related matters, such as photos for the yearbook, according to an agreed statement of facts read in court by prosecutor Michelle Jessome. Those conversations later continued on Snapchat, becoming more personal, and then romantic and sexual.

MacLeod performed oral sex on the teen in the spring 2024, and then rented an Airbnb that June where the two had sex, according to the agreed facts. MacLeod was arrested later that month and charged. There were no sexual encounters at the school.

She was released on conditions, including that she have no contact with the student. At the end of August, however, they met in her car near his home, a breach of the release order.

MacLeod, in brief remarks to the court, apologized Wednesday for any trauma or grief she has caused.

The victim is in therapy, the court heard. His father reports his grades have declined, he's lost interest in school and has feelings of depression and anger.

MacLeod has lost her teaching career, her marriage has ended and she has limited access to her two children, Hunt said. The case has attracted significant publicity.

The impacts on her family and children are "sad and real," Hunt said, "and are, of course, a terrible consequence that flows directly from the defendant's own conscious choices."

While there's evidence of mental health issues, including a report indicating MacLeod has been diagnosed with a form of bipolar disorder and elements of borderline personality disorder, the judge said "none of it truly diminishes, in my mind, the high degree of moral blameworthiness."

The judge noted MacLeod had pleaded guilty and said she appears remorseful. There are reasons, he said, to believe "she can pay her debt to society and return to pro-social and law-abiding life."

In addition to the four-year sentence, the judge also issued a number of orders. They include one that prohibits MacLeod from going near the victim's home for 10 years.

For 10 years, she is also forbidden from being employed or volunteering in work that involves being in a position of trust with people under 16, and is banned from using the social media platforms TikTok and Snapchat.

She also can't have contact with anyone under 16, except her own children or other young people if their parents know about it and are aware of her conviction.