A Peterborough priest is facing sexual assault and interference charges as a result of a police investigation.
On Wednesday (July 26), Peterborough police arrested 33-year-old Neil Pereira of Peterborough and charged him with one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference.
Police are releasing the identity of the accused man “as the nature of the offences lead us to concerns there may be other victims,” according to a media release issued by the Peterborough Police Service.
Sexual interference is when a person, for a sexual purpose, touches — directly or indirectly with a part of the body or with an object — any part of the body of a person under the age of 16 years.
Police say Pereira is an ordained priest with the Catholic Church who has been working in the City of Peterborough since late 2022. Investigators are in contact with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough, who are cooperating with investigators.
Pereira will appear in court on August 8. Police are not releasing any further details about the allegations against Pereira “as this matter is now before the courts.”
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Constable Jacob Donnelly at 705-876-1122 ext. 335, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477
