DURHAM — Thomas Grieve went from being the “cool” teacher kids liked to hang out with to the creepy guy who was too “touchy,” after numerous allegations of sexual assault against him surfaced, a young witness has testified.
“He was known as the nice, funny sports teacher,” the girl, who alleges she was touched inappropriately by Grieve, testified Tuesday, June 4. “I guess I thought he was cool.”
Grieve has pleaded not guilty to a 30-count indictment alleging he committed sexual assault and sexual interference against the children, with whom he is alleged to have come into contact through his roles as a teacher and a coach. His trial began May 28.
Grieve, 40, taught Grade 6 through Grade 8, at Whitby’s Robert Munsch Public School, from 2011 to 2018, and prior to that taught at E.A. Fairman Public School, also in Whitby.
It’s alleged Grieve’s inappropriate contact with children meets the definition of sexual assault, prosecutor Tammy D’Eri told Judge Marquis Felix as the trial began. The Crown alleges the incidents occurred between 2010 and early 2018. The identities of the young complainants are protected under a publication ban.
In cross-examination Tuesday, the girl told defence lawyer Justin Nasseri that, after news of Grieve’s arrest broke, children’s attitudes toward the popular teacher changed. She agreed with Nasseri that Grieve came to be seen as a “creepy” guy after the allegations surfaced.
“A lot of people were telling me they knew there was something up with him, or he was touching certain girls,” she said. “It was after somebody had spoken out against him.” (more...)
No comments:
Post a Comment