A Barrhaven high school teacher has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference after several incidents involving one of his students earlier this year, Ottawa police say.

A police investigation into Naoum Abi-Samra was launched when the force received allegations the 57-year-old had "made sexual comments and inappropriately touched one of his students," a media release issued Monday states.

He had been working at Pierre-Savard high school in Barrhaven since September 2012, but was suspended when the central east French Catholic school board, Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE), became aware of the allegations on March 11, according to Celine Bourbonnais, the board's spokesperson.

Prior to working at Pierre-Savard Abi-Samra taught at another CECCE school, but the board would not say which.

Investigators allege there was more than one incident involving the Pierre-Savard student from January to April, and that they happened while Abi-Samra was performing his duties as a teacher.

Abi-Samra was charged Tuesday morning and police said he was expected appear in court on Tuesday as well.

His lawyer, Neil Weinstein, said Abi-Samra had agreed to turn himself in to police Tuesday morning.

Investigators are concerned there could be more victims.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ottawa police sexual assault and child abuse unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944, or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS) — toll free at 1-800-222-8477.