A former high profile Sarnia gymnastics coach denies ever touching one of his female athletes for a sexual purpose.
Dave Brubaker, 56, took the stand in his own defence Thursday when his trial resumed in Sarnia court.
Brubaker testified that therapeutic techniques and treatment were conducted near the complainant's pelvic and breast areas, but that it was never sexual in nature. He told the court the complainant routinely kissed him and his wife on the lips out of habit because she was viewed as "part of the family."
At the beginning of Thursday's proceedings, Judge Deborah Austin ruled that a statement given to police by Brubaker is admissible as evidence. There was a concern it was given to an officer with ties to the complainant.
Brubaker is being tried by judge alone after pleading not guilty to charges of sexual assault and sexual interference that were laid in December 2017.
The charges cover the period from 2000 to 2007 and relate to a girl who was under 16 during part of that time.
Court heard that Brubaker coached gymnastics for 41 years, and was at Bluewater Gymnastics for 32 years. He is the former director of the Sarnia club, the former women’s national team director for Gymnastics Canada, and was the country’s head gymnastics coach at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Closing arguments by the Crown and defense will be made Friday morning.
A decision is expected in the new year.