Sex Offender Deemed High Risk to Reoffend in Niagara Elementary School Assault Case

Nathan Peddle, a 29-year-old convicted sex offender, has been deemed a high risk to reoffend after assaulting staff members at an elementary school in Niagara. Peddle appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines for a sentencing hearing on three counts of sexual assault. A risk assessment report described him as a "very high risk" to reoffend due to mental health issues, substance abuse, and lack of housing.

Key Takeaways:

• Peddle was convicted of multiple crimes, including three counts of committing an indecent act and a single charge of prowling at night, six months prior to the school incident.
• He was placed on probation for three years with conditions, including a ban on contact with anyone under 16 and prohibition from attending school grounds, public parks, and community centers.
• The risk assessment report cited Peddle's mental health issues, substance abuse, and lack of housing as red flags for reoffending.
• The court heard that Peddle attempted to hug a woman who repeatedly pushed him away, and another staff member was also sexually assaulted during the 20-minute incident.
• Peddle has been in custody since the incident and will be sentenced in September before Judge Deborah Calderwood.
• He was banned from having contact with anyone under 16 and was prohibited from attending school grounds, public parks, and community centers as part of his probation order.

Statistics:

• Peddle was 29 years old at the time of the incident.
• The incident occurred at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Elementary School in Thorold on an unspecified date in 2024.
• The risk assessment report described Peddle as a "very high risk" to reoffend.
• The entire incident lasted approximately 20 minutes.
• Peddle has been in custody since the incident

Sources:

• "Court hears Niagara convicted sex offender was just out of jail before school incident" by [Reporter Name], [Publication Date]
• "Peddle appears in court for sentencing hearing on multiple counts of sexual assault" by [Reporter Name], [Publication Date]