York Catholic teacher charged with sexually assaulting student

A York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) teacherhas been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage student, police said.

York police began an investigation on June 5, after a student reported being sexually assaulted by a teacher, police said in a news release Friday.

The accused, a 47-year-old man fromToronto, has been working as a high school teacher for 22 years.

Police said he was working at a YCDSB school when he was charged and was a teacher at the victim's school.

The accused faces three charges each of sexual assault and sexual exploitation. He has also been charged with luring a child, the release said.

Police said they are not releasing the name and location of the school to protect the victim's identity.

The accused is currently on a leave of absence from the YCDSB, said Mark Brosens, the school board's senior manager of brand, marketing and communications.

"The safety and well-being of our students and staff is the YCDSB's top priority," Brosens said in an email to CBC Toronto on Friday.

"We take this matter very seriously and the YCDSB is fully cooperating with the York Regional Police, the Children's Aid Society and the Ontario College of Teachers."

Anyone with information about this or other incidents isasked to contact police or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers.