1st witnesses in Johnny Meeko trial allege classroom sex assaults

Two female complainants testified Monday that former Nunavut teacher Johnny Meeko committed sexual acts against them in Grade 3 classrooms at Sanikiluaq's elementary school.

Meeko, 61, has pleaded not guilty to 32 sex-related charges including assault, sexual assault and sexual interference alleged to have been committed during his decades-long career at Nuiyak Elementary School. 

Justice Neil Sharkey allowed a request by Crown lawyers Amy Porteous and Priscilla Ferrazzi to set up a screen between Meeko and the complainants, blocking him from their view while they testify. A support person is also allowed to accompany complainants to the witness box.

Emotional testimony

The first complainant testified Meeko would touch her chest "more than five times a day" when he was a teaching assistant in her Grade 3 class.

Years later, she alleges Meeko groped her at his home.

A second woman, who broke down at times during her testimony, described a number of incidents that took place in the classroom during and after school when Meeko was her Grade 3 teacher. 

On three separate occasions, she said while her and Meeko were alone in the classroom, he pinned her on the carpet and rubbed against her, performing what she called "fake sex."

Defence lawyer James Morton pointed out some inconsistencies in the women's testimony from the preliminary hearing. 

"My plan is to test their evidence and see if it's consistent, and the preliminary inquiry is the strongest tool you can have to test the consistency of evidence," Morton said.

The Crown is expected to call nine complainants, who flew in from Sanikiluaq, to testify against Meeko, 

'Minor' breach of bail

Meeko has been out on bail since July 2013 and living in Iqaluit. He is facing an additional charge for breach of bail for failing to comply with housing conditions, though his lawyer said the charge was a "technical breach" and minor in nature.

Separate housing arrangements have been made for Meeko under new bail conditions.

While the complainants are in Iqaluit, he will remain under house-arrest.

The trial continues Tuesday. It is expected to last two weeks.