EDMONTON – The trial of a taekwondo instructor accused of sexually assaulting and sexually touching former students started Monday in Edmonton’s Court of Queen’s Bench.
Thomas Lee Innerebner, 52, is charged with nine counts of sexual assault and eight counts of sexually touching children under the age of 14. There are nine young women who have raised complaints against him.
Several of the incidents are alleged to have occurred during taekwondo classes that were held after school hours in public school gymnasiums. The alleged incidents occurred between 1998 and 2007.
Innerebner has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
In his opening statements, defence lawyer Brian Beresh said taekwondo is an inherently physical sport where physical contact with an instructor is to be expected.
He said almost all of the allegations stem from physical contact made during busy classes where parents were invited to watch.
“It will be for you to decide, in that setting, did a sexual assault occur,” he told the jury of four women and eight men.
The trial is scheduled to last 10 days.
Crown prosecutor David Hill said he will call 20 witnesses, including adults and minors who have accused Innerebner of assaulting them during taekwondo classes.
“This case boils down to the credibility, the truthfulness of what the witnesses say,” he said.
The first witness to testify Monday was a 25-year-old woman who took several taekwondo classes with Innerebner in 2005. She said the instructor touched her breast and her bottom during stretching exercises in the class.
“I told my mom he was weird and I’m not going back,” said the woman, whose name is protected under a publication ban. “He gave me the willies, up and down. The shivers.”
Beresh asked the woman to confirm the alleged touching happened during a class where 20 other students were present. She said yes.
“He was encouraging you to stretch some more,” asked Beresh. “It didn’t feel that way,” said the young woman.
The trial continues Monday afternoon.
Innerebner is expected to testify during the trial.
azabjek@thejournal.canwest.com
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