Barrie elementary school teacher accused of sex crimes appears in court

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A Barrie elementary school teacher accused of sex crimes involving a teenage girl last March appeared in court Monday for his preliminary hearing.

Kyle Pitman, 44, is accused of child luring, sexual exploitation, invitation to sexual touching, accessing, making, printing, publishing, or possessing child pornography, and making sexually explicit material of a child under 18. Barrie police said he lured a teenage girl on Instagram.

• Barrie teacher charged with sex crimes, including luring a teen on Instagram

Barrie police revealed the investigation began after receiving a report from the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. Police said several computer devices belonging to the accused were seized for further analysis. Investigators said emergency orders with internet service providers confirmed the identity and age of the teen, as well as the identity, age and location of the accused.

Pitman was teaching at a south Barrie public school when he was arrested last March. Following two days behind bars, Pitman was granted bail to loved ones who pledged $7,500 to secure his release under strict conditions. He was ordered not to possess any electronic devices to access the internet and cannot be at or near a school or children, unless he is with his sureties.

• Barrie public school teacher accused of sex crimes, involving teenage girl, granted bail

Publication bans imposed protect the identity of the complainant from being revealed along with any evidence heard in court.

Pitman, who coached youth baseball, also taught French immersion, and spent more than a decade teaching in Mississauga and Brampton before moving to the Barrie area three years ago.

Represented by defence lawyer Peter Thorning, the longtime educator’s preliminary, presided over by Justice Philop John Brissette, is scheduled to continue in November.

The allegations against the accused have not been tested in court.