A Gatineau man who was employed as a teacher in Ottawa faces charges of sexual assault and sexual interference following allegations that he inappropriately touched one of his students and was heard making sexually explicit comments.
Ottawa police launched an investigation earlier this year after receiving complaints against the teacher.
Police said the investigation revealed that the teacher may have been involved in several questionable incidents between January and April while employed as a teacher with the Conseil des Ecoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) which has several schools in Ottawa and throughout Eastern Ontario.
Céline Bourbonnais, director of communications for the CECCE, said the teacher was removed from his position on Mar. 11 when the board received a complaint against him.
She would not specify which school the teacher worked at, but said the board has made support staff available to any students who feel the need to talk about any interaction they may have had.
Sources indicate the suspect taught math at École secondaire catholique Pierre-Savard in Barrhaven. The offences allegedly occurred at the school, but not in class.
She also said, the board has launched an internal investigation into the allegations and is fully co-operating with police.
Police charged Naoum Abi-Samra, 57, of Gatineau with sexual assault and sexual interference early Tuesday.
The teacher, in handcuffs, made a brief court appearance via video and was granted bail after he and a surety posted a $5,000 bond. Abi-Samra, supported by family members in the gallery, was released on conditions that prohibit him from going within 500 metres of the student or any public place, like a park, or playground where there are minors.
The bail conditions also prohibit the suspended teacher from working with children.
The accused told court he understood his bail conditions and offered no comment to the press as he walked out of the courthouse with his defence lawyer Neil Weinstein.
The lawyer said his client was relieved to be out of jail and maintains his innocence.
“Mr. Abi-Samra absolutely maintains his innocence an the appropriate time for him to present his side is in trial court,” Weinstein said.
His next court appearance is May 9.
In a news release, police said they were concerned there might have been more victims and are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact the OPS at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944 or phone Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477.
With files from Shaamini Yogaretnam
