Former Young Canadians worker on trial for sex abuse of students to plead guilty

The alleged victims were male students between 15 and 18 years old at the time.

The trial has heard over the last two weeks from several men who said Heerema convinced them to send him explicit photos.

One man said he felt trapped after exchanging naked photos with Heerema.

“I couldn’t talk to anyone about what was happening because then Phil would presumably get in trouble and that wouldn’t be good for anyone,” the man testified.

He eventually told a family member what had happened and went to police.

The school works with students between 11 and 18 years old in dance, voice and performance. Training culminates in grandstand shows during the Calgary Stampede every July.

Heerema spent 36 years with The Young Canadians. He started out as a performer and took on a number of jobs that included costuming, props, sets and lighting. He was business administrator and production services co-ordinator when he resigned after a police investigation began in 2014.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Former Young Canadians worker on trial for sex abuse of students to plead guilty

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