Former teacher Johnny Meeko denies sexually assaulting students

Johnny Meeko told an Iqaluit courtroom on Saturday he "never ever assaulted or did anything to any children all my life," contradicting statements he made to police following his arrest in 2012 when he admitted he touched a number of his former students.

Meeko, 61, has pleaded not guilty to 32 sex-related charges dating back to the 1970s when he began working in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, at Nuiyak Elementary School.

Five hours of tape

Over the course of Friday and Saturday, the court viewed five hours of a statement Meeko made to police in Sanikiluaq after his arrest in August 2012.

During that interview, three RCMP officers spoke with Meeko about a number of allegations his former students made to police.

At one point, Meeko revealed he was sexually assaulted twice as an 11-year-old.

Officers also brought up the subject of a former teacher and convicted sex offender whom Meeko said he worked with at Nuiyak. 

I've never ever assaulted or did anything to any children all my life.- Johnny Meeko

Ed Horne pleaded guilty in 1987 and 2000 to 28 charges involving boys he had taught in various eastern Arctic communities during the 1970s and 1980s.

"We didn't expect anybody like that … a teacher … hurting kids," Meeko told police. 

'It's the truth'

Also on the tape, officers played Meeko portions of the conversations they had had between a number of Meeko's former students and police — the same students who testified against Meeko in court — alleging a range of sexual assaults while he was their teacher.

"I can't remember touching the kids," Meeko said to police. "If I did, I feel [ashamed]."

"Let's be honest here, what's been happening? For 30 years, Johnny, you have been systematically sexually abusing Grade 3 students in this community. That's been going on for 30 years," Sgt. Dave Knibbs told Meeko.

"So tell me ... is what they're saying the truth?" asked Const. Alan Beaton.

"It's the truth," Meeko replied.

He then went on to admit touching the private parts of a number of his former Grade 3 students, the same ones who testified against him last week.

Conflicting testimony

But when it was Meeko's turn to testify on Saturday, he took it all back.

"The information is not true. The allegations are not true," he told the court through an interpreter. 

"I've never ever assaulted or did anything to any children all my life." 

Meeko, who broke down in tears during his testimony, said he was scared of the police during the interview and that while he was being questioned he recalled advice from his grandfather that he should "agree with whatever [police] say."

"Did you in fact ever touch any of your students in a sexual way?" asked James Morton, Meeko's defence lawyer.  

"No," replied Meeko.

The trial continues on Monday when Meeko will be cross-examined by the Crown.