Port Hope teacher accused of sex crimes expected to plead guilty in November
Municipal court in Cobourg. Photo by Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM, LJI.
By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News Local Journalism Initiative
A Grade 8 teacher from Port Hope accused of 18 crimes, including making child pornography and sexual assault of a minor under the age of 14 is expected to make a guilty plea in November.
The name of the accused is protected under a publication ban.
At a brief appearance in a Cobourg court this morning, a defense attorney confirmed that a guilty plea will be entered in a Peterborough court Nov. 6.
The accused was not in court and her legal representation appeared via video.
The teacher who is on leave from her job was arrested in August 2024 in what investigators allege that a boy came forward accusing her of inappropriate touching on a school trip.
Three other minors accuse her in complaints as well. The incidents are alleged to have occurred between June 2022 and April 2024 all taking place in the Port Hope area.
She is also accused of communicating with the complainants through social media. Other charges include luring a person under the age of 16 via telecommunications, distribution of child pornography and invitation to sexual touching.
A few months after her initial arrest, she was apprehended again for allegedly failing to abide by bail conditions, as she is accused of visiting public parks in Peterborough and Whitby.
A guilty plea was scheduled for earlier this year, which was brought up by Justice Mark Moorcroft, Wednesday. It is not clear what charges she will plead guilty to or whether sentencing will take place as well.
