Man with numerous probation breaches, given another chance at freedom

Man "likely to kill" but gets release -- Psychiatrist's opinion, Judge's reservations, breached conditions not enough to detain him

A Harvard-educated Winnipeg businessman with a history of terrorizing his estranged family is back on the streets, despite a psychiatrist's opinion he is "likely to kill."

The man -- who the Free Press is not naming to protect the identity of his victims -- was arrested last week for allegedly breaching conditions of his bail and probation orders.

Provincial court Judge Ray Wyant agreed to release him back into the community despite expressing serious concerns.

"There are a lot of things... that raise a lot of red flags for me," Wyant said in a hearing that wasn't covered by a publication ban.

Crown attorney Terry McComb argued the man, who is in his 30s, should remain behind bars. He spent nearly an hour going through extensive details of the man's troubling behaviour. He has been diagnosed with a narcissistic personality disorder and has made repeated threats to go on a deadly shooting spree against those he believes wronged him.

"He speaks of himself as being a ticking time bomb," McComb told the judge.

"He speaks of having a holy war, of having another Columbine or Virginia Tech" (massacre).

The man pleaded guilty in a Kenora courtroom last year to holding his parents hostage for several hours inside their Lake of the Woods cottage. He was under both a bail order and a restraining order to have no contact with them at the time of the 2007 incident, court was told.

The man, who has both Canadian and American citizenship, chartered a boat on the U.S. side of the lake, used a bogus name to get through customs then broke into the cottage, armed with an aluminum bat.

He ordered his parents to sit on a couch, saying "I could kill you both right now."

He blamed them for problems with his business interests and difficulties he had with his ex-wife and her family, who are also prominent Winnipeg business owners. He was also angry at not being allowed to see his children without supervision, court was told.

"Ultimately his parents were able to talk to him, to calm him down and he said he couldn't kill them," McComb said.

The man admitted to charges of criminal harassment, unlawful confinement, uttering threats, assault with a weapon and numerous breaches. He was given time in custody and two years of probation, which would be monitored by Manitoba's high-risk offender unit.

He still faces two charges of uttering threats from 2007. Those involve allegations he said he would kill his parents, his ex-wife and several members of her family during telephone conversations. He claimed he had "bought a .45 from a black man" and was prepared to use it.

"He said this would be all over the news, that he was incapable of surrender. He said 'I'll fight to the death. This is war. It will go down in blood. I don't care if I go out in a hail of bullets,' " McComb told the judge.

The man's trial on those charges is set for this fall. He's free on bail, and his conditions include a nightly curfew and non-contact order. He has reluctantly attended court-ordered counselling but has shown little interest in taking responsibility, court was told.

Last month, he told his psychiatrist he would no longer participate in conversations and would instead do yoga during future sessions.

"He apparently feels the whole system should bend to him. He doesn't appreciate how serious this is," McComb said.

"(The psychiatrist) does indicate he believes... he is likely to kill."

Police arrested the man last week after probation officials conducted four curfew checks in which he didn't answer his telephone at the Pembina Highway hotel where he lives with his new girlfriend, court was told.

The man took issue with his arrest during his bail hearing, in which he acted as his own lawyer. He said he was inside his room, as required, but never heard the phone ring.

"I haven't breached. I don't take my release lightly. My freedom is very important to me," he said. The man blasted the Crown, police and probation officials for targeting him.

"The system keeps screwing me," he said. "I'm hearing a lot about a monster. That person I don't recognize as myself. I'm trying to work towards peace and reconciliation. I do not have any major mental problems. I'm not capable of doing these things that people said I could do. I'm not a danger to society."

The man spoke for nearly 30 minutes straight, pleading with Wyant to give him another shot at freedom. He bragged about his many accomplishments, from his education at a prestigious U.S. college and winning a Winnipeg business award, to dominating the competition during weeknight floor hockey games at a Winnipeg church.

"I'm the top scorer, by the way. But that sounds narcissistic, so I won't say that," he told the judge. The man also compared his plight to that of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

"I'm a guy who's been dealt a bad break by his family," he said.

Wyant chastised the man for his "me, me, me" attitude, noting he has already been convicted of serious criminal charges. However, he agreed to give the man one more shot at bail, warning any further breaches would likely result in a lengthy stay in jail.

"The authorities are going to be watching your every move," he said.

First of all, the headline is very biased. You can immediately know the author's opinion (that he feels this man should be held in custody) from the way he puts the psychiatrist's opinion as if it were a fact, in the headline. News stories are supposed to be unbiased. It is also biased in the fact that fails to state anything about the accused's background life, which may be a mitigating factor, or any other mitigating factors. 

I agree with the decision to release this man on bail. He is a successful university graduate and businessman who suffers from a personality disorder, which needs to be treated. That cannot happen in jail. His condition would likely only worsen. I agree with the bail but also feel this man should have to adhere to very strict conditions, including attending counseling and treatment. 

This man missed 4 phone calls. It doesn't mean he breached his curfew. That's not even a serious violation. He has been on bail without breaching for 3 years so the Judge obviously considered the fact that he does appear to abide by his court orders. The breach of probation charge could be something simple and not serious such as failing to keep the peace. It could be a simple mistake. Just because he breached his bail and probation doesn't mean he is any more dangerous. It doesn't mean that because he breached his bail and probation that he's alleged to have committed two separate offences. Failing to keep the peace is a breach that an officer lays any time someone on probation picks up a new charge. 

In addition, he has previously only expressed aggression and anger towards family members and relatives, not anyone from the general public, so I do not think he would be a danger to the public. 

Intoxicated mom drove kids to school, court told

Drunken mom drove kids to school, court told

A Winnipeg woman pleaded to be released on bail Wednesday, three days after police arrested her allegedly driving her children to school while drunk.

“I will do anything, I miss my children horribly,” said Colleen Denysiuk. “I don’t want people to look at me and think I’m a horrible mother. I want a better life.”

Court heard Denysiuk allegedly rear-ended another vehicle and drove off without exchanging particulars with the other driver. Police saw the collision and followed her to a nearby school where she dropped off her two young children.

Police arrested Denysiuk, who registered blood-alcohol readings of .322 — more than four times the legal limit for driving.

“The facts of this offence are outrageous,” said Crown attorney Raegan Rankin. “She is so very lucky (she didn’t) hurt anybody. Her children deserve better, so do any other children walking to school at nine in the morning.”

Denysiuk, 42, claimed she hadn’t been drinking for 24 hours prior to her arrest and was “baffled” at her blood-alcohol readings. Denysiuk said she had been ill and was taking cough medications.

“This has been a wake-up call, a very sobering experience both literally and figuratively,” said her lawyer, Ian McNaughton.

Judge Ray Wyant said he didn’t believe the cough medicine excuse for a second and urged Denysiuk to commit herself to quit drinking.

“A reading of .3 would kill almost anyone in this room who wasn’t an experienced drinker,” Wyant said. “You put (your children’s) lives at risk not only on this occasion but probably every other time you drove a motor vehicle impaired and you put the lives of other mom’s children at risk, too.”

Wyant agreed to release Denysiuk on $2,500 bail on the proviso she undergo a program of alcohol addiction counselling.

Publication bans are used frequently in bail hearings that prohibit details of the case be heard. None were requested in this instance.

This woman is an alcoholic and doesn't need prison; she needs help and assistance with her problem. I am glad the judge granted her bail. Prison would only cause more hurt in her family as her children would be taken away from her. I agree with the judge, that she definitely needs alcohol addiction counseling.

Bail denied for ex-RCMP turned alleged Hells Angels associate

Bail denied for ex-RCMP turned alleged Hells Angels associate

A judge has denied bail to a former Manitoba RCMP officer who gave up the badge and allegedly became a high-ranking Hells Angels associate.

Wayne Shuttleworth learned Monday he will have to remain behind bars while pending on charges connected to a massive undercover police investigation dubbed "Project Divide." Shuttleworth has been in custody since December, when police executed a series of search warrants and arrested 31 targets in Manitoba and British Columbia.

A court-ordered ban prevents specific details of the bail hearing from being published.

Court documents obtained by the Free Press show Shuttleworth apparently hid his policing past from fellow Zig Zag Crew members, knowing it would be an automatic ticket to rejection from the gang that serves as a puppet club to the Hells. Shuttleworth, 39, has been charged with participating in a criminal organization, trafficking a firearm, possession of proceeds of crime and conspiracy to launder money. Police identified Shuttleworth in search warrant affidavits as a full-patch member of the Zig Zag Crew.

The documents say Shuttleworth was an RCMP officer between 1991 and 1994, who had extensive firearm training and "an ongoing interest in firearms." Shuttleworth allegedly had various conversations with secret police agent Michael Satsatin in which he discussed having a connection on the Sandy Bay Indian Reserve that would allow him to purchase firearms.

Investigators seized 165 ounces of cocaine, 12 ounces of methamphetamine, 12,000 ecstasy tablets, one ounce of heroin and seven pounds of marijuana during their investigation, along with cash, firearms and gang paraphernalia. More than 300 Mounties and police from Winnipeg, Brandon, Ste. Anne and B.C. were involved.

Bail denied for youth arrested in brawl in cemetary

Brawl tied to death

A bail hearing for a youth accused of stabbing a man outside a restaurant two weeks ago is shedding new light on the killing of 17-year-old Frank Green Jr.

Green, who went by Frankie, was found dead in St. Boniface Cemetery on Sept. 12, 2009. He was severely beaten and suffered injuries all over his body.

Police recently arrested five male teens and charged them with second-degree murder.

Green’s death was part of a long-running dispute between two warring factions of teens that, seven months later, continued to generate acts of revenge and violence, Crown attorney Susan Baragar told Judge Michel Chartier during a bail hearing Friday.

Green’s killers allegedly belong to a gang called the Dynamite Crew or East Siders, while Green belonged to a group that called itself the West Siders, Baragar said.

Police surveillance and wiretaps uncovered a continuous pattern of retribution between the groups, including beatings and the shooting of a house.

The Crown is opposing the bail application of a 17-year-old youth arrested following a brawl between members of the two groups, one day after the murder suspects were arrested. The teen is charged with aggravated assault.

Baragar told court seven West Siders — including the accused — had spent the evening of April 17 celebrating the arrests of the murder suspects. The group was capping the night off at a Denny’s restaurant on Sargent Avenue when they saw a member of the Dynamite Crew at another table.

The man left the restaurant and was met outside by another Dynamite Crew member and a 19-year-old man.

“What ensues can only be called a brawl or a rumble,” Baragar said.

During the melee, the 19-year-old man suffered a deep stab wound to his abdomen. The man called 911 before losing consciousness.

“Police described him as being eviscerated,” Baragar said. “His intestines were hanging out and (he) said he could see his liver.”

The man — who spent five days in hospital — could not identify his attacker. But another witness told police the accused admitted stabbing the victim, Baragar said.

Baragar argued the public would be “outraged” if the accused was released on bail.

“It doesn’t take much to see there will be more retaliation coming,” she said. “We have no assurances (the accused) won’t be involved in retaliation if released.”

Defence lawyer Serena Puranen said her client admits wielding a knife that night but argued it’s still unclear if he caused the victim’s injuries.

Chartier will deliver his decision Monday.

Bail denied for youth arrested in brawl
A judge has denied bail to a 17-year-old male arrested in a brawl allegedly sparked by a 2009 homicide.
The youth applied for bail Friday before Judge Michel Chartier. He was arrested April 17 following a brawl outside a Sargent Avenue restaurant.
The youth is accused of stabbing a 19-year-old man in the stomach, sending him to hospital in critical condition.
The Crown alleges the accused was among a group of seven teens who attacked three men they believed had been involved in the killing of 17-year-old Frank (Frankie) Green Jr.
Green was found dead in St. Boniface Cemetery on Sept. 12, 2009. He was severely beaten and suffered injuries all over his body.
Police recently arrested five male teens and charged them with second-degree murder.

Ex-Bison gets bail after being charged with manslaughter

Ex-Bison gets bail after manslaughter charge, in alleged sucker punch death

A judge has granted bail to a former University of Manitoba Bison football player charged with killing a man inside a Winnipeg bar.

Jeremy Botelho was released Tuesday on several conditions including a curfew and order to abstain from alcohol. The Crown was opposed to his release.

Botelho, 23, was formally charged Monday with manslaughter in the death of Kelly Clay at the Nor-Villa Motor Hotel last week. Clay, a lacrosse star in high school, died of his injuries after being rushed to hospital on April 15.

Botelho turned himself in to police several hours after Clay’s death and spent five nights in custody at the Remand Centre.

A court-ordered ban prevents specific details of the bail hearing from being published.

Former Bison star gets bail
A former University of Manitoba Bisons football player charged with manslaughter was granted bail just before noon Tuesday.
Jeremy Botelho, 23, had been in custody since Friday when he turned himself in to police.
Kelly Clay, an 18-year-old high school student and lacrosse player, died early Thursday morning following an altercation at the Nor-Villa Motor Hotel bar. Clay was allegedly “sucker punched” in the head, then fell and hit his head on the tile dance floor.
Among his bail conditions, Botelho must observe a daily curfew of 10:30 p.m, not consume alcohol and undergo an alcohol abuse assessment.
His next court date is May 19.
Botelho, a receiver and kick returner, was a high school and junior football star before he joined the Bisons for the 2009 season.
He set a CIS record when he returned a missed field goal 129 yards for a Bisons touchdown and was a conference all-star but informed the team’s coaching staff in February he was leaving the Bisons.
Botelho has also practiced with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

A former University of Manitoba Bisons football player charged with manslaughter was granted bail just before noon Tuesday.
Jeremy Botelho, 23, had been in custody since Friday when he turned himself in to police.
Kelly Clay, an 18-year-old high school student and lacrosse player, died early last Thursday morning following an altercation at the Nor-Villa Motor Hotel bar. Clay was allegedly “sucker punched” in the head, then fell and hit his head on the tile dance floor.
Among his bail conditions, Botelho must observe a daily curfew of 10:30 p.m,, not consume alcohol, and undergo an alcohol abuse assessment.
His next court date is May 19.
Botelho, a receiver and kick returner, was a high school and junior football star before he joined the Bisons for the 2009 season.
He set a CIS record when he returned a missed field goal 129 yards for a Bisons touchdown and was a conference all-star but informed the team’s coaching staff in February he was leaving the Bisons.
Botelho has also practised with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

I couldn't agree more, for this man to be granted bail! He has no previous record, is not a danger to society whatsoever, is a good person overall and simply made an unfortunate mistake likely fueled by alcohol. There is no reason why he SHOULDN'T be released. We do not need to keep people who don't pose a danger to society, in remand. It only causes further overcrowding. 

Accused teen in school sex abuse case, granted bail

Accused in school sex assault case granted bail

WINNIPEG - Manitoba justice officials have agreed to release an 18-year-old man from jail following his arrest earlier this week on sexual assault charges connected to St. John's-Ravenscourt School.

The man was granted bail Friday morning, with the consent of the Crown attorney, on several strict conditions including a $10,000 surety, nightly curfew of 10 p.m. and an order to turn over his passport to Winnipeg police. He must also have no contact with any current SJR students. The man, who is originally from China, has no prior criminal record.

The Free Press is not naming the suspect to avoid identifying the alleged victim, who was his roommate at the private boarding school.

The suspect's release comes after three youth co-accused were granted bail – despite objections from the Crown – Thursday afternoon at the Manitoba Youth Centre.

Police are continuing to investigate and are expected to make at least two more arrests, court was told. Police say they will be interviewing other potential victims and further charges could be laid.

All four have been charged with sexual assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, and uttering threats. It's alleged the senior boarding students threatened the younger male boarders, holding them down and placing a wooden stick against their buttocks, in incidents that took place between September and December. As many as 15 students may have been targeted.

The Winnipeg Police child-abuse and sex-crimes units are handling the investigation.

Two of the accused voluntarily withdrew from the school Tuesday after a disciplinary committee recommended expulsion. Two more, who were suspended for five days last week, will not be allowed to return to school until CFS officials clear it.

A justice source told the Free Press the charges announced Thursday relate to a single incident involving a roommate of one of the four teen suspects. The charges came to light only after an SJR teacher allegedly overheard a remark made by a student that led to further questions, said the source.

This article implies that the youth should have been held in custody, however; I feel that this was the right decision in granting him bail, as he has no prior record and is subject to strict conditions. There is no reason to hold him in custody. It's more likely to cause more criminal behaviour anyways. Prison is damaging.

Rush to injustice? 
Rush to injustice?
We are witnessing a media and legal feeding frenzy over alleged sexual assault by students at St. John's Ravenscourt School. Perhaps we should slow down on a rush to injustice.
Perhaps we should consider that not all legally defined sexual assault is of the same nature. Perhaps we are imagining, and the media are implying, much worse behaviour than actually took place.
Perhaps we should consider that many adolescents act irresponsibly at times and in hurtful ways that do not lead to lasting harm. Perhaps they require some punishment and rebuke to correct their behaviour, and discourage others to act the same, but should that involve jail?
Perhaps we should consider the harm done to children chewed up and spat out by the gears of the legal system, lubricated by the mainstream media. Everyone seems to love a scandalous story to show how compassionate they are.
Perhaps much more harm is being done now than anything that occurred prior to this media and legal frenzy.
Perhaps none of us yet know what really happened, but we imagine all sorts of terrible things that likely did not occur.
Perhaps cool and reasonable heads will prevail and justice will be done.
I cannot say that I am optimistic. Political correctness, when mixed with superior moralizing and cynical media obsession, rarely leads to anything good.

High school teens gets bail on sex charges 

Four teens charged in the alleged sexual assault of fellow students at a Winnipeg private school have been released from jail.

They were arrested Wednesday as part of a police investigation into several alleged incidents at St. John's-Ravenscourt.

All four accused — two aged 16, one who is 17, and one who is 18 — were students at the prestigious school in Winnipeg's Wildwood neighbourhood.

They have each been charged with sexual assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, and uttering threats.

CBC News has also learned the police may be looking for two more suspects in the case.

The investigation is continuing by the police service's child abuse unit and sex crimes unit.

As part of their release, the teens face strict conditions, which prohibit them from having any contact with other SJR students.

They are also required to abide by a curfew from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and pay a $10,000 surety.

The 18-year-old, who is a landed immigrant, has also surrendered his passport and moved into a home belonging to family friends in Winnipeg.

Threats of sodomy

The alleged assaults date back to last fall but only came to light last week.

Neither the school nor the police have revealed the nature of the incidents, but CBC News has learned they allegedly involved threats of sodomy toward younger students by the four who have been charged.

The older boys allegedly pinned the younger ones on the floor and removed their pants. A walking stick was allegedly held near the anus of each victim.

Court documents filed in regard to the adult's case confirm that police believe the victims were forcibly confined and assaulted with a "wooden stick."

As many as 15 students were reportedly abused.

All of the boys involved — the accused and the alleged victims — were boarders at the school, which goes from kindergarten to Grade 12. The alleged victims were in Grades 8 to 10, CBC News has been told.

Sex assault arrests at Winnipeg school

Four male students have been charged with sexual assault at St. John's-Ravenscourt private school in Winnipeg.

The students — two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old — have all been charged with sexual assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, and uttering threats, police said Thursday.

Three of the students are youths who are in custody at the Manitoba Youth Centre.

The 18-year-old is at the Winnipeg Remand Centre. The young man appeared briefly in court by a video link from an interview room at the jail Thursday morning on the expectation he would apply for bail.

'He's sitting in a jail for the very first time in his life, so it's expected that he'll be a little bit unsettled by that experience.'—Defence lawyer Sheldon Pinx

However, the presiding judge agreed to the Crown's request for more time to prepare for the hearing. Information about the case had only been forwarded by police to prosecutors about 10 minutes prior to his appearance, court was told.

The Crown will oppose his release, and the judge heard that prosecutors will argue that releasing the man would harm the public's confidence in the justice system.

Being behind bars will likely be jarring for the young man, defence lawyer Sheldon Pinx said.

"My client is only 18," Pinx said. "Needless to say, he's never been involved in the justice system before ... he's sitting in a jail for the very first time in his life, so it's expected that he'll be a little bit unsettled by that experience."

A special hearing will be held Friday for the man to apply for bail. The youths charged will appear in youth court at 2 p.m. Thursday.

The investigation is continuing by the police service's child abuse unit and sex crimes unit, and additional charges are pending.

Victims confined by force: police

The alleged assaults date back to last fall but only came to light last week, according to SJR headmaster Stephen Johnson.

Neither the school nor the police have revealed the nature of the incidents, but CBC News has learned they allegedly involved threats of sodomy toward younger students by the four who have been charged.

The older boys allegedly pinned the younger ones on the floor and removed their pants. A walking stick was allegedly held near the anus of a victim as he was threatened with sodomy. Court documents filed in regard to the adult's case confirm that police believe the victims were forcibly confined and assaulted with a "wooden stick."

As many as 15 students were reportedly abused.

All of the boys involved — the accused and the alleged victims — were boarders at the school, which goes from kindergarten to Grade 12. The alleged victims were in Grades 8 to 10, CBC News has been told.

Suspensions indefinite

The four students were immediately suspended when the school learned of the allegations last Friday.

School administrators contacted Winnipeg police earlier this week. The provincial Department of Child and Family Services is also involved.

Two of the students were told by school officials Monday they would be expelled, but were given the option to appeal or voluntarily withdraw.

They chose to leave on their own and complete their courses online or by mail, officials said, noting the boys would not receive diplomas from the school but rather a Manitoba high school certificate if they graduate.

The two other students, whom police said are from out of province, were initially given a five-day suspension.

However, Johnson said on Thursday that the suspensions have been extended indefinitely. Even if granted bail by the courts, they will not be allowed back to school, Johnson said.

Of the two students expelled, one was originally an international boarder but his family now lives in Winnipeg. The other is from Alberta.

Confidence shaken

Many parents who spoke with CBC News about the incidents believe the school is still a safe place and commended administrators and staff for taking such quick action.

But the confidence of at least one parent has been shaken. Yan Jiang is having second thoughts about registering her eight-year-old son at SJR.

'I can't tell you this is a safe place for your son or somebody else's son … until we do a debrief of how this happened'—SJR headmaster Stephen Johnson

"If the school is not safe, what's the point of sending your son to a place that is in danger?" she said.

Even Johnson said he can't give Jiang any assurances. The fact the boarding students kept the alleged incidents a secret for so many months means something went terribly wrong, he said.

"I can't tell you this is a safe place for your son or somebody else's son … until we do a debrief of how this happened," he said.

"We're not going to know until we … start talking about the details of what each of those boys felt and why they couldn't come forward."

Administrators are taking steps to try to prevent such incidents in the future. That includes counselling for students on how to deal with any situations they encounter.

The school is located at 400 South Dr., on the banks of the Red River, in the city's Wildwood neighbourhood.

According to its website, the school has 830 students with boarding arrangements available for about 50 students.

The cost to board at the prestigious school, which dates back to 1820, ranged in the current academic year from $30,000 to $40,000 per student.

Tuition for students who attended the school but did not board there ranged from $13,000 to nearly $17,000, depending on their grade level.

Sodomy threats at elite Winnipeg school

Two students have been expelled from a prestigious Winnipeg private school for allegedly assaulting fellow students and threatening to sodomize them with a walking stick.
The students had already been suspended from St. John's-Ravenscourt, but a disciplinary committee took the rare step of kicking them out of the prestigious school, said SJR headmaster Stephen Johnson.
Two other students were also suspended but will be allowed to return to school after they serve a five-day penalty, said Johnson.
CBC News has learned that the allegations against the students involve threats of sodomy by older male students toward younger boys.
As many as 15 students were reportedly abused.
The older boys allegedly pinned down the younger ones on the floor and removed their pants. A walking stick was allegedly held near the anus of a victim as he was threatened with sodomy.
The school has not revealed the nature of the alleged assaults but recently contacted Winnipeg police. The child abuse unit has since launched an investigation.
The provincial Department of Child and Family Services is also involved.
The school told the two students on Monday that they would be expelled, then gave them the option to appeal or voluntarily withdraw. The students chose to leave on their own and complete their courses online or by mail. School officials said the boys would not receive diplomas from the school, but rather a Manitoba high school certificate.
Neither of the students are from Manitoba; one of them is not Canadian.

Letters sent to parents

Two letters recently sent by Johnson to parents noted the suspensions were handed out on April 7 following an incident involving several students.
In the letters, which were obtained by CBC News, the headmaster urges parents to trust the school to deal with the matter appropriately, but to understand why no details would be shared.
The school says students and parents affected by the incidents would be offered counselling.
Police are also not releasing any details about their investigation.
The assaults allegedly occurred sometime in the fall but only came to light last week.
The school is located at 400 South Dr., on the banks of the Red River, in the city's Wildwood neighbourhood.
According to its website, the school has 830 students in kindergarten to Grade 12, with boarding arrangements available for about 50 students.
The cost to board at the prestigious school, which dates back to 1820, ranged in the current academic year from $30,000 to $40,000 per student.
Tuition for students who attended the school but did not board there ranged from $13,000 to nearly $17,000, depending on their grade level.

Charges in school sex abuse case

Alleged abuse of this type very rare -- association head can't recall cases

THE allegations at St. John's-Ravenscourt School are pretty much off the charts for the 50,000 students who board at 300 of the top elite private schools in North America.

"Criminal charges being brought against students is very unusual," said Pete Upham, executive director of the Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) from Asheville, N.C. "If what's alleged took place, it's awful."

Upham said that while private boarding schools have zero tolerance for hazing or bullying, he could not recall any cases in recent years in Canada or the U.S. that involved allegations and charges as serious as those at SJR.

Both SJR and Winnipeg's Balmoral Hall School for girls are members of TABS. "There's no such thing as perfect security. When you're working with young people, there's no absolute fail-safe way of preventing bad behaviour," Upham said.

Upham said boarding schools typically have two students per room, generally of the same age, if possible. There is both adult supervision on-site as well as senior students serving as proctors or prefects.

Schools vary from one supervising adult per three or four boarding students, to a maximum of about one per 30 students. These adults are often professionals who teach and/or coach at the school.

"Faculty and other adults live in the dormitories and directly supervise the dormitories," he said. "The standard practice is that primary on-site supervision would be by qualified staff."

An apartment-like residence would likely have an adult living on each floor, while a house-like residence would have a living unit set aside for the adult supervisor. Student proctors are there to help and to develop student leadership, but they are clearly to assist adults, not be in charge, Upham said.

Upham said he worked in private boarding schools for 12 years, living in the dorm. "There was a team approach," he said. Upham or another adult would set up a desk in the hallway until the dorm was locked up for the night, checking in on students and ensuring there were no problems.

Adult supervisors would carry cellphones for emergencies, and students could come to their rooms to get help at any hour of the night, he said.

The TABS website says such schools provide among the best educations in North America, attracting students more interested in working hard than the average student.

TABS considers boarding schools "college preparatory" schools -- experiences that better prepare students to go on to post-secondary, and treat students as young adults.

Balmoral Hall School officials did not respond to interview requests about the school's boarding practices and policies.

The Ontario-based Canadian Association of Independent Schools, to which SJR belongs, did not respond to an interview request.

Private school prejudice irrelevant amid suffering

Private school in the spotlight -- school backs off as police, CFS check abuse allegations

‘Whatever happened was serious, they didn’t talk about it, and they didn’t talk about it for a long time, and that’s a problem’ -- Stephen Johnson, head of St. John’s-Ravencourt School

The allegations surrounding an elite private school in Winnipeg are not what you'd expect from a storied institution at which boarding students pay up to $40,000 a year to attend.

According to reports emerging from the well-groomed campus in Fort Garry, senior male boarding students at St. John's-Ravenscourt School forced younger schoolmates to the ground and held a stick up against their buttocks. Already, two students have left the school voluntarily after a disciplinary committee called for their expulsion.

 What happened at
St. John’s-Ravenscourt:
A timeline

Wednesday, April 7:
A day student tells a St. John's-Ravenscourt teacher about the alleged assaults, who then tells the senior school principal.
Thursday, April 8:
Four male boarding students are suspended in connection to the allegations.
Friday, April 9:
SJR parents receive a letter telling them they had information suggesting "students were assaulting other students in boarding." It instructs them "there is no evidence to suggest that this is part of any long-running hazing practice." The letter tells parents about the four suspensions, and that two of those students were referred to the school's disciplinary committee.
Wednesday, April 7 until Sunday, April 11:
School officials contact their legal counsel and parents of the children involved. The school's senior school principal conducts an internal investigation.
Sunday, April 11:
The senior school principal goes to a police station to report her findings.
Tuesday, April 13:
The school's head says he can't comment on allegations of sex assault, saying the incidents happened last fall involving a "range of behaviour (that) goes from bullying to assault." The police do not confirm a sexual assault investigation, but say the child abuse unit is in charge. Two boys leave the school after they appear before a disciplinary committee and school officials recommend expulsion.
Wednesday, April 14:
The Free Press reports there are at least two male victims involved in a sexual assault investigation. Reports emerge that as many as 15 boys were targeted last fall in a series of incidents. The school's head says there are at least four victims, but does not confirm the investigation involves sexual assault.

Two other male students are serving suspensions in connection to the incidents, which are making headlines across the country.

Child and Family Services will be looking into the alleged incidents that may have included as many as 15 victims, and an investigation by the Winnipeg Police Service child abuse unit is already under way.

Stephen Johnson, head of St. John's-Ravenscourt, said two Grade 12 students are no longer at the school after reports of abuse surfaced. Johnson said he could not comment on allegations boys were sexually assaulted with items like sticks, citing the ongoing police investigation.

"I have to stand back now and let (police) do their job, and not interfere, just support and do whatever they want us to do, and just hope that it will be done expeditiously," Johnson said.

"Everybody wants to know, especially the families of the kids affected in particular," he said.

Johnson said the alleged abuse happened during the fall term of the current school year.

He said he now must regain the trust of students and their families.

"Whatever happened was serious, they didn't talk about it, and they didn't talk about it for a long time, and that's a problem," said Johnson. "In terms of whether the boys were fearful of retribution, whether there was a code of secrecy, whether they didn't think adults would do anything, clearly something painful or awful was happening."

At least four male boarding students in grades eight, nine, 10 and 11 were victimized, he said.

Three alleged perpetrators are boarding students in Grade 12 and one is in Grade 11.

Johnson would not comment on reports from parents that as many as 15 students were victimized, or what allegedly happened to them.

"I think the challenge has been, with our board of governors and some of the parents who are big supporters of the school, or involved with our parents association, there's a real tension between how much to talk about and how little to talk about," he said. "Some of the people are very experienced in the business world, or in public life, where they know the role of the press, they know the role of information, and they know the power of reputation.

"And it's very difficult... to steer a middle course with the ultimate aim of protecting the kids and their families."

Johnson said CFS officials could be at the school as early as Friday.

"I'd like the police to wrap up their investigation tomorrow and say, 'Here, this is it. Done.' And we'll say, 'Fine, thank you.' And we'll use that as the basis for our further review, further study, further counselling support," Johnson said.

A four-day wait before school officials contacted police was not excessive, he said, adding the decision to involve officers was guided by a lawyer.

"I've erred on the side of being -- I'm sure it will be perceived as very conservative in terms of information release -- and that's all been done with legal advice about, 'You've got to protect the kids, you can't defame a student who hasn't been charged by virtue of a letter that suggests something, so don't say that or else his lawyer's going to be suing the school.' So I can't," Johnson said. "Nothing will be covered up."

Johnson said two of the boarding students will be finished their five-day suspensions today.

However, he said it's unknown if those students will return to live in the dorms. Officials are awaiting the results of the police investigation before they make that decision, Johnson said.

"There's a fair bit of concern among the boys... are they safe if these two guys come back," he said.

The school has about 50 boarding students. About 830 attend the school.

A letter sent to parents Wednesday said two students voluntarily withdrew from the school after the disciplinary committee recommended expulsion.

"We continue to provide counselling to our staff and students and review our procedures in house to make sure something like this never happens again," said the letter. Johnson said no parents have said they're withdrawing their students from SJR yet in light of recent revelations about the abuse.

Johnson said one boy, who is 18, did not bring his parents to the disciplinary committee meeting. The other Grade 12 student brought his parents, who live outside Manitoba.

"(The parents) are stunned... they don't know what to say," said Johnson.

"I said, 'You've got to spend some time with your son now. He's done some serious things.'"

Johnson said that indicates to him the evidence presented to the parents was "overwhelmingly compelling."

"Usually as a parent, you're going to fight for your kid's right to stay in the school," he said.

Four students charged in Winnipeg private school sex abuse case

WINNIPEG - Four students from an exclusive private Winnipeg school face charges that include sexual assault with a weapon.

Police spokeswoman Const. Jacqueline Chaput said the suspects are between 16 and 18-years-old and are being held in custody. The alleged victims are in Grades 8, 9 and 10.

"The males have all been charged with ... sexual assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and uttering threats," Chaput said Thursday.

"The three youth suspects were detained at the Manitoba Youth Centre, and the 18-year-old suspect was detained at the Winnipeg Remand Centre."

Allegations surfaced last week that several younger boarders at St. John's Ravenscourt School had been abused in what one school official called organized bullying.

The four suspects are from outside Manitoba.

Chaput said the police child abuse and sex crime units continue to investigate and additional charges are pending.

Four students were suspended last week after the accusations were first raised. Two of the students withdrew from the school rather than be expelled. Everyone on both sides of the investigation is a boarding student.

The complaints go back to last fall.

St. John's-Ravenscourt has 830 students enrolled in classes from kindergarten to Grade 12 and boarding students in Grade 8 and up. Tuition fees range up to $37,000 a year.

The school says about half of its boarders are from outside Canada, including Chile, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria and Taiwan.

To staunch lifeblood of abusers

Secrecy is the lifeblood of abuse and breaking through the wall of silence is a formidable challenge. The experience of St. John's-Ravenscourt is not a new phenomenon for educational institutions, nor is it particularly surprising. It is instructive, however, for all schools, and especially for those with residential components.

The dismay of SJR's head of school, Stephen Johnson, about the time it has taken for the disclosure of attacks that allegedly took place last fall is understandable. The nature of the acts is grave -- four students are facing charges of sexual assault with a weapon and confinement. There were numerous victims. How could such abuse touch the lives of so many young boarders without word leaking out? The affair came to light this month when a day school student confided in a teacher.

SJR's experience, however, should spark introspection among all institutions that board, teach or have a duty of care for children. Environments where children choose to, or must congregate, are attractive to those who would harm them. The work to protect children must reflect the fact abusers wield an insidious power over their victims that engages a pact of silence.

This fact is part of the anti-violence education that has gone on in public institutions that cater to children. Manitoba's Safe Schools Charter demands all publicly funded schools have committees responsible for preparing protocol that informs the zero-tolerance policy for violence, including bullying. There is no requirement for a protocol to help children report, however.

The work there is tough slogging. It requires the building of relationships that give students who are preyed upon the strength to face down intimidation, embarrassment and fear of reprisal to disclose to an adult. That can be made easier by anonymous routes for feedback, such as drop boxes and chat lines.

It took a long time for SJR to hear of what may have been an organized attack on young boarding students. Prevention is a work in progress but key to stopping abuse is a sophisticated blend of education, anonymous reporting and trusting student-teacher relationships that defeats the pact of silence that protects the abusers.