A 23-year-old Charlottetown woman was found guilty Monday on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old girl.

Defence lawyer Chris Montigny leads Jillian Anderson into court earlier in the trial.
(CBC)

Jillian Maureen Anderson met the girl while helping coach her soccer team. Judge John Douglas, chief of the provincial court, ruled although Anderson was no longer coaching the girl when their relationship became sexual, Anderson used her position to exploit the girl for sex.

The charges of sexual touching and invitation to sexual touching relate to relatively new sections of the Criminal Code, which define an offence as occurring if a person is in a position or trust or authority. Those changes were made in November 2005.

Anderson met the girl in 2005 when she was coaching her soccer team. Anderson was 21 at the time and the girl 14. The offences occurred after the girl left the team, in 2006 and 2007.

Crown attorney Cindy Wedge said the judge pieced together all the testimony to reach that verdict.

Crown attorney Cindy Wedge said the trial has been hard on the girl's family.
(CBC)

"The Crown had, I think, 15 or 16 witnesses here who saw bits and pieces, but in fact confirmed the story that was provided to the court by the complainant," said Wedge.

"All that assists, and the judge has to sift through through the evidence and see what aligns with what to determine whether or not proof beyond a reasonable doubt has been established."

Anderson had denied an intimate relationship with the girl, saying she was just trying to help her through a rough time.

But Douglas said he just couldn't believe Anderson when she said her relationship with the girl wasn't romantic or sexual.

Despite being warned to stay away from the girl, by the girl's parents, police and the soccer association, Douglas found Anderson:

• Continued to have close contact with her through e-mails and text-messaging.
• Bought her a cellphone and Christmas gifts.
• Had her over to her home several times, even letting her stay overnight.

The judge said he believed witnesses who testified they had seen the two kissing and the girl at Anderson's home, in her bed.

Anderson has the support of her family, said defence lawyer Chris Montigny.

"Obviously we're disappointed with the result that did come down," said defence lawyer Chris Montigny.

"We'll just have to deal with that decision and move forward. I know Jill is very upset at the moment but she does have the support of her family."

The evidence suggested the girl wanted and went after a relationship with Anderson, but the judge ruled it was Anderson who exploited the situation to make it a sexual relationship. Douglas pointed out Anderson is seven years older, and was the adult in the relationship.

Wedge said the family is relieved to have the trial over.

"These cases are extremely difficult on victims and their families, and a part of strategy of the defence here was to attack the victim and her family," she said.

"Obviously by this decision that strategy was unsuccessful, which I'm sure must be gratifying to the family because this has been absolutely horrific experience for them."

The lawyers will make their arguments on an appropriate sentence for Anderson on Jan. 14.