Former Selkirk teacher convicted of sexual assault denies latest abuse claim

A former private school teacher convicted of sexual assault against several students has denied he abused the Manitoba man who’s now suing him over different claims of sexual violence.

Kenneth MacKinnon Mealey, a former teacher at St. John’s Cathedral Boys’ School in Selkirk, is named in a sexual abuse lawsuit filed in Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench earlier this year by a man who was once a student at the school.

Mealey was convicted more than 20 years ago of sexually assaulting several boys at the Anglican private school.

The school in Selkirk — known for its harsh discipline and physically gruelling outdoor exercises — closed more than 30 years ago.

The man alleges Mealey used his position of power to prey upon and sexually assault him while he was student in 1982.

But Mealey has claimed in a court filing he did not touch the student.

“While it is a matter of record… that I did plead guilty to sexual assault charges in October 2000, I do not believe that this plaintiff was… one of those named in that judgment,” reads Mealey’s self-filed statement of defence.

“Irrespective of the aforementioned, I deny performing any sexual act(s) on the plaintiff.”

He has denied all of the plaintiff’s allegations.

The plaintiff says in his lawsuit he has suffered mentally and emotionally throughout his life as a result of the alleged abuse.

The lawsuit against Mealey, who now lives in Nova Scotia, also names the Anglican Diocese of Rupert’s Land as a defendant.

The diocese is accused of knowing of Mealey’s alleged sexual assaults and failing to take action to stop the abuse from occurring.

In response to a prior court action over Mealey’s abuse, the diocese’s bishop said in 2020 the school was privately run and was not affiliated with the diocese.

The diocese has not yet responded to the lawsuit.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca