Johnny Meeko preyed on students for years, Crown argues

In itsclosing arguments Thursday, the Crown paintedformer school teacher Johnny Meeko as a liar and someone who preyed on his students for years.

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 in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut. He is being tried by a judge alone.

Crown lawyer Amy Porteous delivered the closing arguments before Justice Neil Sharkey at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit.

"Your honour should see this case for what it is: a teacher who for years and years preyed on his students who have come before you to tell their accounts of what occurred," Porteous said.

"I submit that their evidenceproves the case beyond a reasonable doubt."

In the defence's closing arguments earlier in the week, Meeko's lawyer James Morton called the testimony of some of the nine witnesses fantastic and insome cases "highly implausible."

"The only thing that's fantastical about this trial is Mr. Meeko's self-serving evidence about why he made this confession and this court should reject his evidence in its entirety," Porteous said.

"His credibility, I would submit, is non-existent."

Recanted confession

Following Meeko's arrest by RCMP in Sanikiluaq in 2012, Meeko spoke with three officers about the charges. Five hours of that statement,in whichMeekoconfesses to the officers he touched his students,was played in court in August.

But during his testimony in the summer, he took it all back, telling court through an interpreter that, "The information is not true. The allegations are not true.

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

The defence says it istoo dangerous to criminally convict based solely on testimony. It also argues that there might have been an opportunity for potential collusion among witnesses meaning they may have talked about their allegations against Meeko witheach other, especially since Sanikiluaq is a small, isolated community of about 700.

The judge says he will make his decision on the 32 charges beforeMeeko'snext scheduled court date on April 4.

At least two of the witnesses have filed lawsuits seeking compensation from the governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories related to this case, represented by lawyer Alan Regel.