Police say a teacher in Nova Scotia’s Pictou County is facing several serious charges, including sexual assault, following alleged assaults at a school. On Sept. 10, the RCMP received a report that a teacher had allegedly assaulted a student at Dr. W.A. MacLeod Consolidated School, a pre-primary to Grade 8 school in Riverton, N.S. Police say they have identified other victims of similar alleged assaults that happened this school year. Matthew Donahoe of Bible Hill was arrested on Wednesday. The 53-year-old has been charged with: “Investigators are aware that Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education (CCRCE) administration removed Donahoe’s access to the school and to students at the time of the initial report of an assault,” reads an RCMP news release. CCRCE calls the charges “deeply troubling.” “CCRCE takes these matters very seriously. We will have supports available today, continuing into next week for students,” it said in a statement on Thursday to CTV Atlantic. “The school has notified families that the individual has been placed on leave as the RCMP continues its investigation.” Donahoe appeared in Pictou provincial court on Thursday. He was released on conditions including a curfew and he’s not allowed to contact or be within 500 metres of a home, school, or work of 10 named individuals. Donahoe is prohibited from leaving the province, possessing weapons, or being in the presence of anyone who may be under the age of 18. He’s also prohibited from any public park, school, daycare centre, swimming pool, playground, skating rink or community centre where youths might be. His next scheduled court appearance is in Pictou provincial court on Oct. 19 at 9:30 a.m. Police believe there may be additional victims. Investigators are asking anyone with information to call the Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:
