An Edmonton piano teacher broke down in tears in a Calgary courtroom after being found guilty of sexually abusing a former student. Cassius Alleyne, 61, was convicted on May 7, 2026, of sexual interference for inappropriately touching a nine-year-old girl during piano lessons that took place between 2021 and 2023.
Courtroom Verdict
Court of King's Bench Justice Kathryn Oviatt delivered the verdict on Thursday, finding Alleyne guilty of kissing and groping the young victim while teaching her piano at her home. The judge emphasized that the case did not hinge on a credibility contest, but she ultimately found the girl's testimony more convincing than Alleyne's, which she described as self-serving and straining credulity.
Victim's Testimony
The nine-year-old victim testified that Alleyne kissed and groped her over her clothes during lessons. She eventually disclosed the abuse to a school counsellor, which led to the investigation. The court also heard from the victim's mother and a police officer, but Justice Oviatt noted that only the girl's testimony was instrumental in determining Alleyne's guilt, finding her credible and reliable.
Defense and Judge's Assessment
Alleyne denied any inappropriate touching, claiming he never hugged his young pupils even if they initiated the hug, and always kept his hands at his side. He argued that it would have been physically impossible to touch the girl as alleged because he was seated beside her in a folding chair, and he also noted the girl's mother was in another room. However, Justice Oviatt dismissed these claims, stating that Alleyne's evidence about physical contact felt self-serving and that she did not accept the impossibility argument.
The judge also expressed confusion over Alleyne's increasingly contradictory statements about being contacted by police. He initially claimed he had no inkling of a child sex abuse allegation but later admitted to piecing together that the nine-year-old was the complainant, partly due to a text exchange with the girl's father. Justice Oviatt concluded that Alleyne's evidence was reactive and reconstructive and did not raise a reasonable doubt about his guilt.
Legal Proceedings
Alleyne was charged in 2024 after police received reports of the abuse. Police indicated there might be other victims and laid charges regarding another complainant last year, but only the charges involving the nine-year-old proceeded to trial after the Crown sought a stay of proceedings in the other case. Justice Oviatt allowed Alleyne to remain on release pending sentencing, which is scheduled for May 22. Several of Alleyne's family members and friends attended the hearing.
This case highlights the importance of listening to child victims and the rigorous judicial process in sexual abuse cases.
