

Joshua Freeman, CP24.com





A teacher and sports coach at a Brampton high school is facing a sexual exploitation charge after being accused of having a relationship with a student.

Peel Regional Police allege the teacher had a consensual relationship with a 17-year-old student while being employed at Turner Fenton Secondary School.

While the Peel District School Board said it could not comment on how the teacher’s employment status has been affected, a spokesperson called the allegations “disturbing” and said that normal procedures in such a case would involve suspending the teacher with or without pay, depending on the circumstances.

“Of course these charges are naturally disturbing,” PDSB Spokesperson Carla Pereira said in an email to CTV News Toronto. “We have been and are cooperating with police at this time, and offering support to the students and staff at Turner Fenton Secondary School.”

She said disciplinary actions against the teacher could include boundary training, suspension with or without pay, transfer to another school or location or termination.

This is not the first time that the teacher has faced charges like this. According to a report from the Ontario College of Teachers, he has twice been charged in relation to inappropriate behavior with students.

The first incident was in 1992 while he was working at Meadowvale secondary school. The report alleges he drove a 15-year-old student “alone in his vehicle and kissed her.”

He was charged and found not guilty in that case.

The second incident was in 2000, while he worked at Bramelea secondary school. The report alleges he “once again drove a 15-year-old student to a school event” where it is alleged he “engaged in sexual touching, which the student resisted.”

He was found not guilty in that case as well.

However according to the same document, he was found guilty of professional misconduct and suspended for two months after an Ontario College of Teachers disciplinary hearing in 2003.

He is listed on their website as a teacher in good standing, and has been active since 1991.

The suspect, identified as 53-year-old Richard Knill of Milton, was granted bail today, but the details of the hearing are covered under a publication ban.

He is scheduled to appear in court next on July 17.

Police are asking anyone with further information to contact investigators at the Special Victims Unit at 905-453-2121, ext. 3460 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

- With a report by CTV News Toronto’s Sean Leathong