A former staff member at a Saskatoon elementary school made his first appearance in court this week after being charged with multiple offences related to alleged assaults on students.
Hessam Aldin Sahrapour, 41, did not attend Wednesday’s hearing in person. His lawyer was represented by an associate who appeared by telephone and requested an adjournment. The matter was scheduled to return to court on Oct. 8.
Charges and alleged victims
Sahrapour faces a total of 10 charges: five counts of sexual assault and five counts of assault. Police say the alleged incidents involved five 10-year-old children and occurred between Sept. 1, 2025, and May 25, 2026.
"Sahrapour faces five charges of sexual assault and five charges of assault."
The accused worked at St. Mary’s school, located in the 300 block of Avenue N South in Saskatoon, which is part of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools division. The school division has confirmed the individual has been dismissed from his position, but declined to say in what capacity he had worked.
Court process and community concerns
The accused was not present in court for the initial appearance. He is represented by lawyer Brian Pfefferle, whose associate sought the adjournment by phone. With the next court date set for October, the case remains in an early procedural stage.
- Number of accused: 1
- Number of alleged child victims: 5
- Alleged incident period: Sept. 1, 2025 — May 25, 2026
Allegations of abuse involving children in school settings raise immediate concerns for parents, staff and the wider community. The school division’s confirmation of dismissal signals an administrative response, but it does not substitute for criminal proceedings. As the files proceed through the courts, police and prosecutors will continue to review evidence and prepare their cases.
What the school division and police have said
The Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools division previously told media the employee had been dismissed, but would not elaborate on the person’s role or provide further details about internal actions taken. Saskatoon police have provided the timeline and the ages of the alleged victims publicly as part of the criminal investigation.
Officials typically limit comment in active investigations to protect both the integrity of the court process and the privacy of victims, particularly when they are children. Community members with information related to the case are usually encouraged to contact police through the appropriate channels.
Next steps and local impact
The next court appearance on Oct. 8 will determine how the matter proceeds, including any pretrial directions or disclosure timelines. Until then, the accused remains subject to the conditions of bail or any custody status set by the court — details of which were not disclosed at the first appearance.
For families and school communities, this case underscores the importance of clear reporting mechanisms and support resources for students. While charges have been laid, the court process will determine guilt or innocence. Local parents and caregivers anxious about student safety should expect continued communications from school officials and, where appropriate, counselling or other supports for affected students.
The case is being handled by Saskatoon courts and local law enforcement. WE NEWS will continue to follow developments and report updates as the court process unfolds.
