Former Estevan teacher pleads guilty to sexual assault charges

Former Estevan Comprehensive School teacher Troy Ruzicka has pleaded guilty to a number of charges Monday in court in Estevan.

The one charge of aggravated sexual assault was reduced to sexual assault to which he pleaded guilty. He also entered a guilty plea on the second count of sexual assault and one count of sexual touching.

He had been charged with three charges of committing an offence sexual touching while being in a position of trust or authority. Ruzicka pleaded guilty to one while two of those charges were stayed.

He was also charged with five counts of using telecommunication to communicate with someone under 18 years of age for the purpose of facilitating the commission of an offence with respect to that person. He pleaded guilty to three counts and the rest were stayed.

As well, he entered a guilty plea on one count of accessing child pornography. The charge of transmitting sexual material was stayed.

There is a publication ban on the names and ages of the victims as well as specifics of the cases.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 20.

Ruzicka was arrested March 3.