Warning: This article contains details that may be disturbing and triggering to readers. A 79-year-old retired high school teacher accused of historical sex crimes heard from his accusers in court. Following a preliminary hearing, held over two days in Barrie and Collingwood, Neill Lanz has been committed to stand trial in the Superior Court of Justice. Lanz is accused of historical sex crimes, dating back about 50 years, by two women who allege the former high school teacher sexually assaulted and exploited them when they were between 14 and 18 and Lanz was between 32 and 46 years old. Lanz, who retired from teaching about 20 years ago, according to the Ontario College of Teachers website, had more recently been making folk rock music in the Clearview Township area. He was initially charged in November 2024 when Huronia West Ontario Provincial Police said Lanz sexually assaulted a student between 1978 and 1979. Police said, at the time, that there may have been more potential victims out there. Months later, according to court documents obtained by CTV News, another woman reported similar allegations to police from 1993 when Lanz was an English teacher at Stayner Collegiate Institute. Lanz is now accused of three counts, including non-consensual sexual intercourse, sexual exploitation while in a position of trust or authority, and sexual assault. A publication ban protects the identities of the complainants from being revealed. After his preliminary hearing ended, Lanz, who is represented by defence lawyer Jason Rabinovitch, left the Collingwood courthouse from a back door used by court staff and judges. Lanz and his wife asked for privacy before entering a neighbouring grocery store. Lanz is scheduled to return to court in November. The allegations against him have not been tested in court.
