Hamilton

Former Hamilton principal gets 4 years for indecent assaults on young boys

A former principal, teacher and truancy counsellor with the Hamilton and Peel school boards has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of indecent assault involving young boys.
Whitby's John Leek pleaded guilty this week to a series of sexual offences committed between June 1976 and December 1977. (Hamilton Police)

A former principal, teacher and truancy counsellor with the Hamilton and Peel school boards has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of indecent assault involving young boys.

Whitby's John Leek, 70, pleaded guilty Tuesday and was sentenced to four years in prison. He also had restrictions placed on any interaction with children under the age of 16.

Leek was arrested last year on charges of indecent acts on a male and gross indecency between June 1976 and December 1977. Several of the incidents happened while he worked in Hamilton.

Leek worked as a teacher, truancy counsellor, vice principal and principal. According to police, he also had an active role in several children's choirs across Ontario and worked as an organist with the Anglican Church.

"[He] volunteered with several agencies where his position has put him in contact with children," a police news release reads.

Anyone who needs confidential support related to sexual assault can call the Sexual Assault Centre's 24-hour support line at 905-525-4162 or connect at www.sacha.ca, or the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre at www.hhsc.ca/sadv.