Music teacher facing more charges
Roger James Jabbour facing sexual exploitation charges after fourth complainant comes forward
A P.E.I. high school band teacher is facing two more charges following allegations of sexual exploitation dating back to the early 1990s.
Roger James Jabbour, 65, wasn’t in provincial court in Charlottetown Thursday where a lawyer appeared on his behalf to ask Judge John Douglas for an adjournment.
Jabbour is facing charges that include allegations of sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation.
Those charges involve four complainants, including three who were younger than 16 at the time of some of the alleged offences.
Court records show the latest charges allege that between April 1, 1991, and Feb. 2, 1992, Jabbour committed sexual exploitation by touching the complainant for a sexual purpose and inviting them to touch him for a sexual purpose.
Sexual exploitation involves a person who is in a position of trust or authority towards a young person, is in a relationship with them that is exploitative or is someone with whom the young person is in a relationship of dependency.
At the time of the allegations, the criminal code defined a young person as someone 14 or older, but younger than 18.
The age of consent has since changed to 16.
On Thursday, defence lawyer Jonathan Coady told the court he needed more time to go through additional information related to the case with Jabbour.
Jabbour was released on an undertaking in September, which included a condition that kept him from going to Colonel Gray High School where he had been working.
Crown attorney Valerie Moore asked Douglas to change the undertaking Thursday to allow Jabbour to go to the school if he is accompanied and supervised by the principal or a Public Schools Branch administrator.
Moore said the change was to allow Jabbour to collect his belongings.
Jabbour has been on leave from Colonel Gray for several months, which parents and students were initially told was because of a health issue.
His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 25.
A publication ban prevents the release of any details that could identify the alleged victims.