NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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York Regional Police have charged a 60-year-old man from the City of Richmond Hill in connection with historical sexual offences committed in 2018 against a child.
On Jan. 15, 2021, police began an investigation into a music teacher after a victim came forward to report historical sexual assaults. The incidents occurred from May to September 2018 when the victim was 11 years old, during music lessons at a music school located at 9019 Bayview Ave. in Richmond Hill. The accused was arrested on Feb. 3, 2021.
The accused has been a music teacher since 2014 throughout York Region, the City of Toronto and possibly elsewhere in the Greater Toronto Area. Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Charged:
• Valerii Pradidenco, 60, of the City of Richmond Hill
Charges:
• Sexual assault
• Sexual interference - person under 16
• Making explicit material available to a child
A sexual assault includes any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature. York Regional Police would like to encourage anyone who feels they may have been a victim of a sexual assault to come forward and report the incident to police. There is no statute of limitations for sexual offences and offenders can be prosecuted well after the date of the offence. If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can report the incident online if:
• You are not in immediate danger
• The person who assaulted you is not present
• There is no evidence present that may be collected by police (blood, semen, saliva, etc.). Evidence can be collected for up to 12 days after the sexual assault has occurred
• You have access to a private email address, to which the suspect does not
If someone is not ready to report, however is seeking support, please contact York Region Victim Services or the Women’s Support Network. Additional resources and information can be found on our website.
Anyone with information is asked to call the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7071 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online.
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