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Ex-Ucluelet teacher loses sex-assault appeal

A former Ucluelet teacher found guilty of sexually assaulting a female student has lost an appeal of his conviction.

A former Ucluelet teacher found guilty of sexually assaulting a female student has lost an appeal of his conviction.

Gary Semchuck was an elementary school teacher in 1987 when he was accused of rubbing a student's breasts after she had completed a track and field run.

He appealed, claiming the trial judge failed to consider all the circumstances of the incident, including his assertion it was not sex-ual in nature because he was trying to help the girl, who was struggling for breath after her run.

However, the appeal court rejected his arguments, saying the verdict was not unreasonable and was supported by the evidence.