A Red Deer teacher who was dismissed from his job at Westpark Middle School over the Christmas break has been charged with a number of sex-related offences.

60-year-old Norman Joseph Howes is charged with five counts, including two of inviting a person under 16 to touch for a sexual purpose, communicating with a young person for criminal purposes, touching a young person for a sexual purpose, and child pornography.

Howes made his first court appearance on December 31st, 2018, and was released on a $3,000 bail, and will appear in Red Deer provincial court again on January 17th, 2019.

Howes said he has taught for more than 30 years at public schools in Red Deer, according to his biography on the school's website.

RCMP and the Red Deer Public School Board initially reported there was a publication ban in place regarding the name of accused and the charges against him.