Former Coquitlam substitute teacher Aleksandr Plehanov continued a path of inappropriate and ultimately criminal behavior with children he taught despite being warned repeatedly by school and district officials, Crown prosecutors alleged in the closing arguments of his trial.

In Port Coquitlam Provincial Court Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Wendy Van Tongeren Harvey suggested Plehanov bounced around from school to school, leaving behind him the repercussions of his actions with his alleged victims and their parents.

Plehanov faces five charges of sexual assault, five of sexual interference and one of criminal harassment.

The alleged victims were all in grades 2 and 3, were seven or eight years old at the time of the alleged incidents and came from three different schools. The alleged incidents date to January 2008.

The Crown also alleged the substitute teacher attended disciplinary hearings and was given a letter regarding his conduct with students, yet continued to act inappropriately with students up until the RCMP were called to investigate in March 2010, after receiving complaints from parents.

Crown also argued there is evidence the teacher allegedly assaulted the students for his own personal satisfaction.

Crown spent part of the day reviewing testimony given during the trial, including time outlining the procedures followed by police in interviewing children alleging sexual assault.

A total of 32 witnesses testified during the trial, which lasted nine days.

The trial began in January, but was adjourned a few weeks later until June.

Closing arguments in the trial, which is being tried by a judge alone, are expected to wrap up today (Wednesday).

The Crown finished its case last month, while the defence has decided not to present any evidence.

Much of the testimony in the trial came from the alleged victims.

One alleged victim testified that during one encounter, the teacher rubbed the eightyear-old's buttocks for a few seconds and then moved to the front of her body, rubbing around her pelvic area.

Another girl, a seven-yearold, testified Plehanov had touched her as well.

Four other girls came forward with allegations involving Plehanov touching parts of their body.

According to the BCTF, Plehanov's teaching certificate has been suspended since May 2010 and he is currently ineligible to teach in B.C.

jdeutsch@thenownews.com