Dominic Blanchette, this teacher from Adélard-Desrosiers elementary school accused of sexual assault, will remain detained for the rest of the legal proceedings in his file, a judge of the Court of Quebec ruled on Friday after a long investigation. upon release.
Posted at 12:08 p.m.
“The defendant will return to court on October 25,” he told The Press the Crown prosecutor, Mr.e Annabelle Sheppard, leaving the courtroom.
Very few details can be given of what was said during the hearing, as a publication ban was issued from the outset under section 517 of the Criminal Code.
In particular, this prevents us from publishing the testimony, information, observations or legal reasons provided during the hearing. In fact, only Judge Sonia Mastro Matteo’s decision could be made public at this point.
Nearly twenty counts have already been filed against Dominic Blanchette since his arrest last May, including several of sexual assault, but also child pornography or incitement to sexual contact. The facts would have occurred between 2017 and 2022.
“He got closer and closer to the girls”
These accusations had caused a shock wave at the Adélard-Desrosiers school, in Montreal North, where he taught. Internally, Dominic Blanchette was also known for his closeness to young girls.
“Over time, he got closer and closer to the girls. He often attended their extracurricular activities. He gave them more permissions. He even took pictures and videos with them,” he told The Press a student who had Mr. Blanchette as a teacher in sixth grade. “Sometimes on sports teams, he made girls sit on him during breaks,” he also said.
At the end of May, the Minister of Education, Jean-François Roberge, announced that Dominic Blanchette could no longer practice his profession, since his patent had been revoked by the government. A dozen teaching certificates are revoked each year “for situations which are unfortunately similar”, according to the minister.
In recent weeks, the Montreal Police Service (SPVM) indicated that Mr. Blanchette “would have held jobs in more than one school” located in Greater Montreal. The police then said they were looking for other potential victims.
Several alleged victims have come forward since this public appeal by the Montreal police. The authorities are still inviting anyone who has relevant information in connection with this case or who would like to file a complaint against the accused to contact the anonymous center of Info-Crime Montreal, by dialing 514-393-1133, or by completing a confidential online form.
With Alice Girard-Bossé