PORT COQUITLAM (NEWS1130) – A former substitute teacher charged with sex crimes involving five young students has been acquitted.

Aleksandr Plehanov was facing 10 counts related to sexual assault and sexual interference; he was also charged with one count of criminal harassment. He has been acquitted of all 11 charges.

Plehanov was accused of inappropriately touching the girls between 2008 and 2010 in Coquitlam.

The judge in the case says while Plehanov’s conduct in the classroom was suspect, the Crown failed to prove the touching was of a sexual nature.

Mothers of the accusers gathered outside of the court after the verdict, expressing disappointment. They want their daughters to know they feel the girls did the right thing by coming forward.

Plehanov’s lawyer says her client is ecstatic by the verdict.

Several witnesses had testified that Plehanov was seen putting students on his lap. However, that in itself did not meet the burden of proof.