A 55-year-old music professor has been charged in connection with the sexual assault of a teenage girl who was a student of his for private music lessons at the University of Manitoba more than a decade ago.<\/p>\n
Winnipeg police said on Friday the 15-year-old girl\u00a0received classes from the then-37-year-old professor between Dec. 17, 2007 and March 11, 2010.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Grooming of the teen began during the lessons and sexual assaults happened off campus, police said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The girl ended the relationship and the professor tried to reinitiate contact by repeatedly emailing her, police said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The girl has since moved away from Winnipeg. She reported the incident in February to police in another jurisdiction,\u00a0who contacted Winnipeg investigators.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Manitoba Prosecution Service\u00a0authorized charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation, police said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oleg Pokhanovski, 55, turned himself in\u00a0at the Winnipeg police headquarters on July 29.\u00a0He was arrested and detained in custody, police said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“At this time the investigation is concluded. However, if new information was brought forward\u00a0it would be investigated,” said police spokesperson\u00a0Const. Pat Saydak.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pokhanovski’s U of M online\u00a0staff biography describes him as an “accomplished virtuosic violinist, pianist, arranger, and music educator” and “in-demand adjudicator at music festivals all across Canada.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bio said he is on leave from the university.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anyone who might wish to speak to an investigator\u00a0can call the sex crimes unit at 204-986-6172.<\/p>\n