Teacher facing sex charges free to travel to Venezuela

A teacher at a Châteauguay elementary school will be allowed to enjoy a planned spring-break vacation in Venezuela next week, despite being charged with sexually assaulting 19 girls. Dressed in a charcoal-grey suit and a striped burgundy tie, Henri Fournier smiled and appeared relieved as Quebec Court Judge Robert Lafontaine granted him bail during a hearing at the Valleyfield courthouse yesterday. The hearing appeared to be an emotional roller coaster for the 54-year-old gym teacher. Fournier shook his head often as evidence was presented and was on the verge of tears as Det.-Sgt. Serge Dubois summarized the investigation conducted by the Châteauguay police.