1st witnesses in Johnny Meeko trial allege classroom sex assaults

Two female complainants testified Monday thatformer Nunavutteacher Johnny Meekocommitted sexual acts against them inGrade 3classrooms at Sanikiluaq's elementary school.

Meeko, 61, haspleaded notguilty to 32sex-related charges including assault, sexual assault and sexual interference alleged to have been committed duringhis decades-long careeratNuiyakElementary School.

Justice NeilSharkeyallowed a request by Crown lawyersAmyPorteousandPriscillaFerrazzito set up a screen betweenMeekoand the complainants, blocking himfrom their view while they testify.A support person is also allowed to accompany complainants to the witness box.

Emotional testimony

The first complainant testifiedMeeko 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 andMeekowere alone in the classroom, hepinned her on the carpetand rubbed against her, performing what she called "fake sex."

Defence lawyer James Mortonpointed out some inconsistenciesin 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 fromSanikiluaq, to testify against Meeko,

'Minor' breach of bail

Meekohas been out on bail since July 2013 and living in Iqaluit. Heis facing an additional charge for breach of bail for failing to comply with housingconditions,though his lawyer said the charge was a "technical breach" and minor in nature.

Separate housing arrangements have been made forMeeko under new bail conditions.

While the complainants are inIqaluit, hewill remain under house-arrest.

The trial continues Tuesday. Itis expected to last two weeks.