A former math teacher and basketball coach at St. Matthew High School in Ottawa has been found guilty of several charges of sexual assault, sexual interference, sexual exploitation and criminal harassment involving girls who were his students at the time of the offences.
Rick Watkins, better known as Rick Despatie, appeared virtually as Ontario Court Justice Ann Alder read her decision Thursday morning.
Watkins was found guilty on four counts each of sexual assault and sexual interference related to allegations from four female students. The victims were all under the age of 16 at the time of the offences. A publication ban prevents CBC from reporting information that could identify any of the victims.Alder found the victims provided similar evidence, each describing how Watkins would approach female students who required extra help in his math class. He would then repeatedly touch their shoulders and legs in a way that made them feel uncomfortable.
Alder found some of that testimony may have been influenced by text messages the witness had received before coming forward, or tainted by her own conclusions regarding the events. Generally, however, the witness's account was found suitably credible to warrant a guilty verdict on certain counts.Watkins had testified in his defence, but Alder found his testimony argumentative, evasive and condescending.
Watkins was also found guilty on two charges of criminal harassment because it made his students feel so uncomfortable they skipped classes.He is next scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 5 to set a date for sentencing.
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