Published Apr 04, 2025 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 3 minute readThe Yarmouth Justice Centre. TINA COMEAU PHOTO – SaltWire NetworkThe Yarmouth Town RCMP has charged a teacher of the Tri-County Regional Centre for Education with sexual offences.The RCMP says that on March 4, officers received a report of an alleged sexual assault involving a teacher and a youth victim.“Officers learned that in February, a teacher who was on staff at Maple Grove Education Centre had inappropriate contact with a former student,” reads an April 4 media release. The RCMP says the middle school teacher facing the allegations was on leave at the time of the incident.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe RCMP conducted an investigation and on April 1 arrested 52-year-old Tina Lee Cottreau of Yarmouth. She has been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation.The age of the former student was not referred to by the RCMP.Cottreau was released on conditions following her arrest. Her first court appearance in Yarmouth Provincial Court is slated for May 12.The Tri-County Regional Centre for Education (TCRCE) issued the following statement on April 4 about the charges.“We are aware that a teacher at Maple Grove Education Centre is facing charges related to sexual offences involving a former student,” said Ashley Gallant, coordinator of communications for TCRCE. “These charges are deeply troubling and I can assure you that TCRCE takes these matters very seriously.”The TCRCE confirmed that the teacher was on leave at the time of the incident and that she remains on leave.“As this investigation is ongoing, this is all of the information we are able to share at this time,” Gallant said.Article contentThe RCMP says its investigation is ongoing but that at this time investigators do not believe there are other victims.This isn’t the only teacher of the TCRCE that has been charged with sexual offences. In early March, the RCMP said that Deidre Longmire, 41, had been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation, alleged to have occurred between Sept. 1, 2022 and Sept. 1, 2024.The RCMP had started an investigation last August after getting reports of an alleged relationship between a teacher and a student at Digby Regional High School.Initially when officers investigated the allegation it closed the file without any charges being laid. However, the RCMP then said that new information had been received by investigators late last year “that provided sufficient evidence to reopen the original file and lay a charge.”The charges were laid in January, and involved the same student the RCMP said.At Longmire’s first court date in Digby Provincial Court, the matter was set over to April 15 for election and plea.Article contentAt the time those charges were announced, the TCRCE had also said that it takes these matters very seriously.“The safety, security, and well-being of all students remains our highest priority,” Gallant had said, saying that Longmire had not been present at any school during this academic year and is on leave.In its April 4 media release, the Nova Scotia RCMP encourages anyone who may be a survivor of sexual assault to come forward by contacting their local RCMP detachment or police of jurisdiction.“Survivors can discuss incidents with officers before deciding to participate in an investigation and court process,” the release reads.To offer an anonymous tip, people can contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip on the Crime Stoppers website, or use the P3 Tips app.(With files from Ian Fairclough)Article content
Yarmouth Town RCMP charge teacher with sexual offences
