Youth coach charged with sexually assaulting 2 children, aged 3 & 4

UPDATE: All charges against Dunford were withdrawn by a Representative of the Crown on Jan. 26, 2015.

Toronto police have charged a youth sports coach and Toronto District School Board (TDSB) volunteer with sexually assaulting two children, aged 3 and 4, and they believe there may be more victims.

Robert Dunford, 49, of Toronto was arrested on Wednesday.

Police allege he sexually assaulted a three-year-old girl in 2007, and a four-year-old boy in 2013, and that he was trusted by the alleged victims’ families.

“He volunteers heavily in the community in the west end of the city. He coaches soccer and hockey with children and he has great access to lots of children,” Const. David Hopkinson said.

The TDSB confirmed he has volunteered at the Karen Kain School of the Arts at 60 Berl Avenue near Royal York Road and The Queensway for the past two school years.

“I’m very surprised and scared,” said one mother of a child at the school. “I have a six-year-old and that would definitely put some fear (into us).”

Police say he has also been affiliated with the following programs:

  • YMCA Camp Wanakita – 1883 Koshlong Lake Road
  • St. Giles Kingsway Presbyterian Church – 15 Lambeth Road
  • St. John’s Anglican Church – 288 Humberside Drive
  • Humberside Pool – 280 Quebec Street

Dunford has been released on bail. His conditions include not being in the presence of anyone under the age of 16 unless supervised by an adult.

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