Sex charges strong enough for Cambridge teacher to face trial

Sonya Russell

KITCHENER — A judge ruled Friday that there is enough evidence against a suspended Preston High School teacher for her to go to trial on four sex-related charges.

Sonya Russell, 41, of Waterloo, initially faced eight counts related to four alleged victims, all male students at the Cambridge school.

Following a preliminary hearing in Kitchener court, however, the case has been narrowed to four charges involving two teenage boys during 2012.

Two charges related to one alleged victim were dropped by prosecutor Neil Dietrich, while Justice Gary Hearn dismissed two charges related to another alleged victim due to insufficient evidence.

That leaves four charges still before the courts — sexual exploitation, invitation to sexual touching and two counts of luring via computer.  (more...)

Sex charges strong enough for Cambridge teacher to face trial