Hamilton·New

Former school board employee arrested on child sex charges

A former employeee of the Peel and Hamilton school boards has been arrested and charged on child sex assaults dating back to the late 70s when he worked as a truancy counsellor.
Whitby's John Leek pleaded guilty this week to a series of sexual offences committed between June 1976 and December 1977. (Hamilton Police)

Hamilton Police have arrested a former truancy counsellor with the Hamilton and Peel school boards on sexual assault charges dating back to the late 1970s. 

Police believe there may be more victims. 

John Leek, 69, from Whitby, is alleged to have committed indecent acts on a male and gross indecency between June 1976 and December 1977, while in the city of Hamilton.

Police say he was a truancy officer at the time, an employee typically assigned to children with behavioural problems, and that he worked with both the Hamilton and Peel regional school boards.

Victims or anyone with information is asked to Detective Tammi Ewart of the Sexual Assault Unit at (905) 540-6477. Annoymous calls can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

There are also help lines to call: Sexual Assault Centre's 24-hour support line is 905- 525-4162 and the Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Provincial Crisis and Support Line is 1-866-887-0015.