Some charges stayed against Steinbach teacher, coach accused of sexual offences involving 6 teens

Charges linked to three of the six students who accused a former Steinbach, Man., high school teacher and rugby coach of sexual offences have been stayed.

David Bueti, now 43, was charged last year with five counts of sexual assault and three counts of sexual interference for alleged offences against six female students ranging in age from 15 to 18.

Those offences were alleged to have happened between February and May 2022 at Steinbach Regional Secondary School, where Bueti worked from February until June of that year.

Four of the charges — two counts of sexual assault and two counts of sexual interference — were stayed on Oct. 18 of this year, court records show. 

The remaining charges related to the other three students — three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference — are still proceeding.

In an emailed statement, a provincial spokesperson said prosecutors' charging standard must be met at every stage of a case.

"This requires Crown attorneys to consider any new information or evidence as it arises and reassess the case with the new information or evidence.  That is what happened in this case," the spokesperson said.

"As a result, it was determined that there was no longer a reasonable likelihood of conviction for the charges relating to three of the complainants, so those charges were stayed."

At the time of Bueti's arrest, the Hanover School Division said the teacher was placed on leave immediately after the division learned of the allegations against him. A spokesperson said Bueti was no longer employed by the division.

The case is scheduled to appear in court again Nov. 16.

Support is available for anyone who has been sexually assaulted through Klinic's 24/7 Sexual Assault Crisis Line. In Winnipeg, call 204-786-8631, or call toll-free 1-888-292-7565.

You can also access crisis lines and local support services through this government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. ​​If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.