Calgary teacher's five-day trial opens over alleged 1990s sexual abuse
Fred Henry Archer, 82, pleaded not guilty to charges spanning June 1994 to September 1995. Defence claims the accuser fabricated allegations after a failed class-action lawsuit.
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A five-day trial opened Monday for Fred Henry Archer, 82, of High River, accused of sexual assault crimes that allegedly took place more than 30 years ago at John Ware School in Calgary.
Archer is charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, and invitation to sexual touching involving a male student between June 1, 1994, and September 30, 1995. Crown prosecutor Gianna Argento told the court that Archer befriended the victim's father, eventually caring for him while he worked out of town, which led to the victim living in Archer's home for a period. Argento outlined allegations that Archer bought the victim cigarettes, took him on long drives, watched him masturbate, and gave him massages. Archer admitted to police he had a close relationship with the victim but denies the abuse allegations.
Archer is pursuing a not-guilty plea. His defence attorney Tim Dunlap argued the victim has "a problem with the truth" and fabricated the allegations for profit. Dunlap suggested the accuser, after realizing no money would come from an earlier class-action lawsuit against the Calgary Board of Education, converted his allegations against Archer knowing financial compensation could follow.
In a three-hour police video presented to the court on Monday, recorded January 21, 2025, Archer answered detectives' questions about his relationship with the victim and circumstances that led to them living together. Archer denied specific incidents, including one where he allegedly ejaculated on the victim's back during a massage, saying his wife and eldest daughter were nearby and would have noticed. He also addressed an incident involving the victim masturbating in the car, which Archer acknowledged seeing but attributed to the victim's frustration over not ejaculating during oral sex with his girlfriend.
Archer denied any connection to the late Michael Gregory, a former teacher accused of exploiting six junior high students. An autopsy is scheduled for this week. The Calgary Board of Education agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit involving decades of sexual abuse by a former teacher.
What is the victim's name and current age?
How many other accusers, if any, have come forward against Archer?
What timeline does the defence expect for the trial verdict?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Who is on trial and what are the charges?
Fred Henry Archer, 82, of High River, is charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, and invitation to sexual touching involving a male student between June 1, 1994, and September 30, 1995.
How long is the trial?
The trial is scheduled for five days, opening on Monday, August 31, 2026.
What is the defence's explanation for the allegations?
Defence attorney Tim Dunlap argues the accuser fabricated the allegations for financial compensation after an earlier class-action lawsuit against the Calgary Board of Education failed to provide money.
When was Archer interviewed by police?
Police recorded a three-hour video interview with Archer on January 21, 2025, in which he answered questions about his relationship with the victim and denied the abuse allegations.
