Closing arguments hinge on victim's credibility, texts in sexual assault case against teacher

The closing arguments in the case of a teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenager he taught and coached centred on credibility and the interpretation of text messages.

Noel Strapp, 39, is charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation — touching a young person for a sexual purpose.

The now 22-year-old complainant, whose identity is covered under a publication ban, testified last week that she and Strapp had about 100 sexual interactions in all — with 10 to 20 of those times including penetration. It happened in the school, at Strapp's home, in his children's play house and his car, she testified.

Strapp has denied all the allegations against him.

Defence lawyer Ian Patey argued in provincial court in St. John's on Friday that those allegations are fabricated and that the complainant had motive to make them up.

In testimony throughout the trial, it became clear that Strapp and the complainant had a very close relationship. Strapp was the complainant's teacher for several classes and her coach in several different sports, and she spent time at his home. He said she was like a part of the family, and she said he was the most important person in her life.

But Patey said there was evidence of a falling-out between the two while they were working together as coaches in early 2019, before the complainant went to police with the allegations against Strapp.

While on the stand last week, the complainant called Strapp "an angry, miserable, narcissistic person," and said she hated him.

The complainant also testified, however, that she lied to the police about her age, initially telling officers she was 15, not 16, when the alleged sexual relationship began so that Strapp would be charged.

"That hatred was so great," Patey said, "that it drove her to lie to police about her age … truth be damned."

Patey said credibility is often the key issue in sexual assault cases, and while it's normal to mix up a few details, he said the complainant was dishonest from the very beginning. 

"How can the Crown submit her evidence is reliable on anything?" Patey asked.

Strapp's lawyer also pointed out inconsistencies between the complainant's testimony and her three statements to police. He said she has detailed memories of some sexual encounters but is vague on many others.

He also said allegations about using the Snapchat app to exchange sexual pictures, videos and conversations are not reliable, and can't be assumed because of the app's transitory nature.