The trial of a former Coquitlam substitute teacher charged with multiple sex crimes against children will begin next week in Port Coquitlam provincial court.
Aleksandr Plehanov, who was arrested last year and is facing four counts of sexual interference, or touching of a person under the age of 14, is expected to face a judge on Monday.
In March 2010, the parents of a Grade 3 girl reported she was touched inappropriately by her substitute teacher. Coquitlam RCMP learned the same day that two other girls from the same class had made similar allegations.
A month later, Plehanov was charged with nine sexual offences against the three girls, aged seven and eight.
In May, those charges, plus a new one relating to a fourth victim in relation to an October 2009 incident, were reduced to four counts of sexual interference, or touching of a person under the age of 14.
Plehanov taught at 42 schools throughout School District 43, including 25 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and seven high schools.
gmckenna@tricitynews.com
