The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District has confirmed that a teacher facing sex charges in New Brunswick also worked for years in St. John’s-area schools.
Thirty-seven-year-old Stephen Blackwood has been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and assault.
The Moncton man also allegedly went by the names Mark Blackwood or Mark Black.
Police in Fredericton began investigating last year after reports of a man videotaping children around hotel pools in November.
The sex charges are linked to an alleged incident around the same time at a Fredericton school where he was a substitute teacher.
Police are also investigating similar allegations in the Moncton area last summer, after Blackwood stopped working in the St. John’s area.
In a statement to VOCM News, the English School District confirmed he did work as a substitue teacher in the metro region from 2013 to 2022.
They declined to comment further, but said in addition to any investigation by the district, concerns of inappropriate staff behaviour towards students are immediately forwarded to police.
The RNC has yet to confirm if there’s any investigation or charges pending against Blackwood here. But RCMP in this province say they have no files showing any current investigations and none showing any past investigations in their jurisdiction.
37-year-old man charged in connection with sexual assault; RCMP continues to seek possible victims , https://t.co/JnElSOLX1w #Moncton pic.twitter.com/y4hQJbjbkx
— RCMP New Brunswick (@RCMPNB) February 8, 2023
RCMP in New Brunswick say he was known to frequent popular swimming areas, asking children to perform a dance for his YouTube channel, where he’s known as “Blamzooka.” There are also reports of similar incidents in the Moncton area dating back to 2018.
Police in that province say they’ve received calls from parents in Newfoundland about the former teacher.
Blackwood remains in custody pending his next court appearance in Moncton on Friday.
