Former N.S. school principal denies sexual assault allegations

Former Halifax-Area Elementary School Principal Denies Historical Sexual Assault Allegations

Steve Hutchins, a 60-year-old former elementary school principal in the Halifax area, has vehemently denied all allegations of historical sexual assault made against him. The accusations date back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Hutchins was a gym teacher at elementary schools in Eastern Passage, N.S.

A 43-year-old woman, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, testified that Hutchins assaulted her when she was in grades 2 to 6. She recounted uncomfortable encounters with Hutchins in supply rooms adjacent to the gyms or in his office, where she would stay after school to help him clean up after gym classes. The woman described tight embraces that she eventually realized constituted sexual assault.

During his testimony in Dartmouth provincial court, Hutchins refuted the woman’s allegations. Using photographs and floor plans of the schools, he argued that the encounters she described would not have been possible. Hutchins claimed that he did not have student helpers stay after school, as most students rode buses and had to leave immediately after classes ended. He also denied taking the woman out of school for movies and meals, as she had alleged.

While Hutchins admitted to hugging the girl, he stated that it was a common practice for children to show affection towards teachers. He insisted that he did not pay “special attention” to the woman and vehemently denied the tight embraces she described.

The woman’s memories of the alleged abuse came into focus in 2023 when she began sharing her experiences on social media. Hutchins learned of her posts through his ex-wife, who informed him of the allegations. Despite their strained relationship, his ex-wife drew his attention to the woman’s accusations and other similar claims made against him.

This is not the first time Hutchins has faced allegations of historical sexual assault. He was previously acquitted in a similar case that went to trial last fall. During cross-examination by Crown prosecutor Emma Woodburn, Hutchins cited the passage of time as a reason for not remembering specific details from that period.

The trial will resume next month for final arguments from both the defence and the prosecution. Hutchins maintains his innocence and continues to deny all allegations of sexual assault.