Child sex assault investigation leads to arrest of Hamilton tutor
Published November 23, 2022 at 7:05 pm
A private tutor from Hamilton has been arrested on his return to Canada after three students were sexually assaulted.
Two separate sets of parents in Richmond Hill reported to York Regional Police on November 10 that their children had been sexually assaulted during private tutoring sessions.
The ensuing investigation revealed both families had separately hired the same man to teach their three children, all of whom reported attacks. All three children are under 16 years old.
Police issued a warrant for the arrest of Alistair Martin-Smith, 67, of Hamilton, on November 16. He was charged with three counts of sexual assault and three counts of sexual interference.
However, Martin-Smith could not be found. Investigators believed that he had left the country and it turns out their hunch was well-founded.
On November 23, York police announced they had arrested Martin-Smith two days prior. Martin-Smith was arrested at the airport on his return to the country.
He will appear in a Newmarket courtroom on December 20. Anyone with information about the case can call the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7071 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Police say there may be more victims out there and encourage any to come forward. There is no statute of limitations on sexual assault so victims can come forward at any time, even years after the assault.
Investigators recommend victims report their assaults online as long as they are not in immediate danger, their attacker is not around, and they have access to a private email.
However, if the victim was assaulted in the last 12 days, evidence can still be collected. In this case, victims should call 911 as soon as they safely can.
York Region Police, as well as most other police services, also offer numerous victim services supports for those who do not feel ready to report.
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