A preliminary hearing has started into a case involving allegations that a Chatham private music teacher touched a significant number of his female students in a sexual manner.
Claude Trachy, who goes by his middle name Eric, was charged with 74 counts of historic sex-related offences after a lengthy investigation by Chatham-Kent police.
On day one of the preliminary hearing on Tuesday, defence lawyer Ken Marley was granted a court order to ban the publication of evidence given during the inquiry.
The 71-year-old defendant sat quietly beside his lawyer, sometimes taking notes and glancing at his accusers, as assistant Crown attorney Lisa Dafoe called four women to the stand, one-by-one, to give their testimony.
In previous published reports, police said 24 women had come forward with allegations of being improperly touched when they were children between the years of 1972 to 1989.
Court is scheduled to hear evidence from 11 complainants this week.
The accused taught primarily stringed instruments, including violin and viola lessons, in his home for several decades. (more...)
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