Pictou County Teacher Accused Of

Brian MacKenzie Teepell/USPA 24 News - SOURCE: The Canadian Gothic, and RCMP.
A Pictou County teacher is facing multiple charges involving four students at Dr. W.A. MacLeod Consolidated School in Riverton, Nova Scotia, according to court documents.

Matthew Robert Donahoe, 53, of Bible Hill, appeared in Pictou provincial court Thursday after the RCMP announced earlier this week that he was facing several charges related to incidents at the school. Police initially did not disclose how many students were involved, but since confirmed that 4 have come forward.

Court documents show the alleged incidents took place between September 3rd and 10th, during the first week of classes. Donahoe is accused of sexually assaulting, touching for a sexual purpose and assaulting one student. He is accused of choking and assaulting a second student, as well as administering lorazepam, a medication used to treat anxiety disorders. A third student is allegedly the victim of assault and choking, as well as an assault involving a chair, which is identified as a weapon in the court documents. Donahoe is also accused of assaulting a fourth student. Police say the alleged incidents occurred inside the school during the school day.

The Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education says Donahoe's access to the school and students was removed when the initial allegation was reported. The school district says he is currently on unpaid leave and that supports will be available at the school next week.

A publication ban is in place preventing the identification of the complainants and the publication of any information that could identify them. Donahoe is scheduled to return to Pictou provincial court on October 19th, for election and plea. The allegations have not been proven in court.