Former students allege kissing, spanking by Johnny Meeko

Three women in their late 20s testified Tuesday that former Nunavutteacher Johnny Meekoput his hand up their shirts and touched their chests while he was their Grade 3 teacher at Sanikiluaq's elementary school.

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

One of the complainants said when Meeko was her teacher, hewould keep her in the classroom while otherstudents wentto gym class.

• 1st witnesses in Johnny Meeko trial allege classroom sex assaults

She testified he wouldturn off the lights, coverthe window of the classroom door thenproceedto touch her chest.She said Meeko told her "God would cut off mytongue" if she told anyone.

Anothercomplainantsaid Meeko touched her inappropriately during a Grade 3 detention, then again when she was 14yearsold.On that occasion, she said Meekotouchedherafter shecame out of the bathroom one weekend while at the school during atarget practice session as a member of the Junior Rangers. Meeko had been there supervising.

'Birthday spankings'

A thirdcomplainanttestified thaton her ninth birthday in his Grade 3 class, Meeko sat her on his lap andgave her "birthday spankings" in front of her classmates.

On another occasion, she said Meekokissed her on the lips as a punishment for being the last student in the class to finish her work.

The Crown is expected to call two more complainants to testify on Wednesday.Nine complainants have been flown to Iqaluitfrom Sanikiluaqto testify.

Meekohas been out on bail since July 2013 and living in Iqaluit.