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Calgary music teacher accused of sexual abuse against underage girls denied bail

Bail has been denied to a Calgary music teacher accused of sexually abusing 22 underage girls over an eight year period.

Christian Sarile faces dozens of charges involving 22 underage girls over 8 year period

Calgary teacher Christian Sarile, 27, shown here in a photo that appeared on Facebook, now faces dozens of additional charges after 19 more people came forward to police. (Facebook)

Bail has been denied to a Calgary music teacher accused of sexually abusing 22 underage girls over an eight year period.

Christian Sarile, 28, is facing 75 charges including some offences he is accused of committing after he was granted bail the first time.

Provincial court Judge Josh Hawkes ordered Sarile — who has been in custody since his re-arrest in December — detained late Friday afternoon after hearing arguments by prosecutor Martha O'Connor and defence lawyer Kaysi Fagan.

All of the evidence and arguments are protected by a publication ban.

​Sarile was first charged in connection with three complainants who came forward to police last May, and was granted bail.

In December, Calgary police announced Sarile was charged with dozens of new offences involving 19 new complainants.

The offences include sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, extortion, luring and accessing and distributing child pornography.

As a music teacher, Sarile instructed children ages nine to 14. He supervised students on several overnight trips. The alleged victims are girls between the ages of 12 and 17.

CBC News is not reporting the name of the school where Sarile taught in order to protect the identities of the complainants.

Police have said Sarile used social media apps — including Ask.fm, Snapchat and Instagram — while posing as a teenage boy to communicate with his alleged victims.

The case will be back in court next month. 

About the Author

Meghan Grant

CBC Calgary reporter

Meghan Grant is the courts and crime reporter for CBC Calgary.