Calgary teacher charged with sexual interference and unlawful confinement

A Calgary teacher has been charged with sexual interference with a child under 16 and unlawful confinement.

Police say they responded to a call at Bob Edwards School in the city's northeast around 11:10 a.m. on Oct. 25 for reports that a teacher"had inappropriately touched several students."

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The teacher was not at the school when police arrived, according to a news release, but after speaking with several witnesses, officers turned the investigation over to the child abuse unit.

"Witnesses report that a teacher arrived at school in the morning and appeared to be impaired. They report the teacher attempted to speak to several students, making inappropriate comments and physical contact," reads the release.

"It is also alleged one student ended up alone in a classroom with him and was prevented from leaving, while he made unwanted physical advances and inappropriate comments."

That student immediately reported the teacher, according to police.

Kids 'should be commended'

Staff Sgt. John Guigon with the child abuse unit said the Calgary Board of Education and the students did everything right.

"The kids are very smart, really brave, knew something was wrong and responded appropriately. They should be commended," he said.

Guigon said police have laid the charges in relation to one victim, but they do anticipate more victims coming forward and laying additional charges.

"There's no indication that there's any other incidents in the past so it's all going to be related to that day in October," he said.

Guigonsaid the accused has no criminal record.

School board response

The school board released a statement to CBC News on Friday.

"The Calgary Board of Education is aware of the charges laid against a staff member from an incident at Bob Edwards School in October," it reads.

"The school fully co-operated with the Calgary Police Service during their investigation. In accordance with the collective agreement, this employee is currently suspended with pay."

The CBE says it can't comment further as it's both a legal and apersonnel issue.

MikhailKolesnikov, 35, was charged on Thursday and released with multiple conditions, according to Guigon.

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