School counsellor faces sex charges involving minor

A guidance counsellor from a Pointe Claire high school has been accused with sexual touching involving a minor.

Stéphane Houde, 45, of Ecole sécondaire Félix-Leclerc was charged with sexual contact and inciting sexual contact with a minor under 14, confirmed Cmdr. Pierre Leduc of Montreal police's sex crimes unit.

Leduc said the alleged incident took place February 12, but the victim did not file a report until March.

Houde was formally charged on April 27, Leduc added.

"Since the charges were laid, he has been suspended without pay," said Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys spokeswoman Annie Favreau.

She said Houde will remain suspended during court proceedings.

School officials sent letters home last week informing parents about the allegations "so the students and teachers and people involved in the school would not hear about it first through the media," Favreau said.

Due to school board confidentiality procedure, Favreau declined to provide further information about Houde.