POLAND – A former substitute teacher in Poland was sentenced Wednesday to six months in jail for grabbing the buttocks of three female students.

Martin Watts, 58, of Great Oaks Lane in Otisfield, was working as a substitute teacher at Poland Regional High School and Bruce M. Whittier Middle School last year when four female students came forward with allegations that he had been touching their buttocks, massaging their shoulders and making inappropriate comments.

School officials contacted police immediately and told Watts that he could not substitute at the school while the investigation was pending.

After a five-day investigation last January, the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office charged Watts with four counts of unlawful sexual touching and four counts of assault.

A trial was avoided when Watts agreed to plead no contest to three of the assault charges. He entered his plea Wednesday morning, and Justice Thomas E. Delahanty II sentenced him to six months followed by one year of probation.

As part of the plea deal, Watts signed a statement agreeing not to seek employment as a teacher at any school. While on probation, he also will be barred from having unsupervised contact with any children under 16.

According to police, Watts became a substitute teacher after retiring from a full-time position in Cape Elizabeth.

Derek Pierce, the principal of Poland Regional High School and Bruce M. Whittier Middle School, wasn’t sure how long Watts had been subbing in Poland. Last year was at least his second year, Pierce said.

As with all substitute teachers, Pierce added, the school did a criminal background check on Watts. Nothing came up.

“We’re very proud of the four girls who came forward,” Pierce said of the four middle school students who reported Watts to school administrators.

Assistant District Attorney Deborah Potter Cashman said Watts grabbed one of the girl’s buttocks in front of the entire classroom on at least one occasion.