A trial that has dragged on sporadically for nearly half a year is coming to a close.

The Crown in the B.C. Provincial Court trial of Aleksandr Plehanov wrapped up its case Thursday, while the defence has decided not to present any evidence.

Closing arguments are scheduled for July 3 in Port Coquitlam Provincial Court.

Plehanov, who was a substitute teacher for School District 43 when the alleged offences occurred, faces five charges of sexual assault, five of sexual interference and one of criminal harassment.

The father of one of the alleged victims said outside court he isn't disappointed Plehanov won't take the stand in his defence, adding it wasn't expected he would.

But the father, who can't be identified, said he hopes the former teacher is found guilty and will be barred from teaching or being around children.

He also said he and some of the other parents of the children who were allegedly assaulted want to be involved in any changes that take place within School District 43 in light of the case. The father indicated he plans to be in court during closing arguments next month.

A number of witnesses testified during the trial, which began in January, but was adjourned a few weeks later until June.

The harassment charge arises out of allegations that Plehanov twice went to the home of one of the alleged victims when he knew police were investigating his activities.

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

In court, one alleged victim testified that during one encounter, the teacher rubbed the eight-year-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-year-old, said Plehanov had touched her as well.

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

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 has alleged that Plehanov was warned on numerous occasions before the March 2010 alleged incidents about touching children in elementary schools at which he taught within School District 43.

According to the B.C. College of Teachers' website, Plehanov's teaching certificate has been suspended since May 2010 because of disciplinary proceedings and he is currently ineligible to teach in B.C.

jdeutsch@thenownews.com