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Court documents show the teacher charged with assaulting students at a school in Nova Scotia’s Pictou County is facing allegations involving four different young people.
RCMP announced on Thursday that Matthew Robert Donahoe, 53, of Bible Hill, N.S., was charged with several offences involving students at Dr. W.A. MacLeod Consolidated School in Riverton, N.S.
The school serves students from pre-primary to Grade 8. There is a publication ban on naming the complainants or revealing any identifying information about them.
The alleged offences occurred between Sept. 3 and Sept. 10, over the first week of classes.
Donahoe is accused of sexually assaulting, touching for a sexual purpose and assaulting one student, according to the court documents.
He is accused of choking another student, as well as assaulting them and administering a noxious substance with the intent to “aggrieve or annoy” them. The substance is listed in the documents as lorazepam, a drug used to treat anxiety disorders.
Donahoe is accused of assaulting and choking a third student, as well as assaulting them with a weapon, specified in the court documents as a chair.
He is also accused of assaulting a fourth student.
RCMP have said the alleged assaults occurred inside the school during the school day.
The alleged assaults occurred at Dr. W. A. MacLeod Consolidated School in Riverton, N.S., this academic year. (Luke Ettinger/CBC)
On Friday afternoon, a Nova Scotia law firm said it is serving notice of an intended class action lawsuit against the Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education and Donahoe on behalf of students.
MacGillivray Law detailed in its legal notice that three plaintiffs are currently involved. Some of the students alleging abuse by Donahoe have disabilities and complex needs, the law firm said.
According to police, the Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education removed Donahoe’s access to the school and students at the time of the initial allegation of an assault. The centre for education said it will make supports available at the school next week.
A spokesperson would not provide information about Donahoe’s employment with the district, or what other schools he may have taught at, but said he is currently on unpaid leave.
He is next scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 19 for election and plea.
WATCH | Assault charges against teacher involve 4 students, court documents show:
Pictou County teacher faces allegations from four young people: court records
Matthew Donahoe is facing several charges including sexual and physical assault. The CBC’s Luke Ettinger has the story.
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