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Edmonton-area teacher cleared of sex charges involving two students

A former junior high teacher from an Edmonton-area school has been cleared of accusations that he groped one female student and inappropriately touched another.

ST. ALBERT, Alta. — A former junior high teacher from an Edmonton-area school has been cleared of accusations that he groped one female student and inappropriately touched another.

Michael Dubas was emotional as he said outside court how relieved he was to have been found not guilty of several sex-related charges.

He said he looks forward to getting on with his life, but didn’t indicate whether he plans to return to teaching.

During closing arguments, his defence lawyer pointed out that video taken in a hallway where one of the encounters allegedly occurred didn’t show anything happened.

Dubas had testified that he had had a number of issues with one of the girls who accused him.

And three of their classmates testified the girls came up with the story as part of a plot to get Dubas into trouble.

The 55-year-old has been on paid suspension from the school since he was charged almost a year ago with sexual assault, sexual exploitation and sexual interference.

He taught religion, physical education and coached the basketball team at the Catholic school.