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Former Victoria high school teacher gets four months for stalking ex-girlfriends

Frank Canacari will serve conditional sentence at home before two-year probation

Former Vic High teacher Frank Canacari will serve a four-month sentence in the community for stalking his ex-girlfriends.

The sentencing by Victoria provincial court judge Jeanne Harvey wraps up more than three years of court proceedings for Canacari, who was convicted on one count of criminal harassment and two counts of being unlawfully in the homes of two women in August. The incidents occurred in May and June 2010.

Canacari, 46, showed no emotion as Harvey read out her reasons for sentencing.

"Mr. Canacari continues to deny any criminal behaviour," said Harvey, calling his behaviour a "gross invasion of privacy and an attack on the security each (woman) felt in their home."

Canacari was also ordered to undergo regular psychiatric therapy, with the hope that he will come to recognize the severity of his crimes.

"It's particularly disturbing (Canacari) is unable or unwilling to acknowledge the impact of his behaviour," Harvey said.

Canacari has been on unpaid medical leave from the Greater Victoria School District since June 2010, when he was arrested at the school on the charges; he no longer holds a teaching certificate.

Any hope of Canacari returning to teaching will now be decided by the Teacher Regulation Branch.

dpalmer@vicnews.com