The Crown and defence gave their closing arguments this morning in the case of teacher Noel Strapp who’s accused of sex offences against a high school student.

39-year-old Noel Strapp was charged in January with sexual assault and sexual exploitation against a student athlete.

The identify of the complainant, now 22, is banned from publication but she claims the two had dozens of sexual encounters from touching to oral sex and intercourse at Strapp’s home, in his children’s play house and his car.

Strapp denies all of that, conceding they had a close relationship that was directly tied to the woman’s elite athlete status and his position as her coach and teacher at Roncalli HIgh in Avondale when she was 16 and 17 years old.

In court this morning, the defence said the allegations only surfaced after high school and the relationship soured, adding “her hatred was so great that it drove her to lie. Truth be damned.”

The defence also pointed to numerous inconsistencies in her testimony.

The Crown has countered that Strapp groomed her from an early age to the point where she put him on a pedestal of respect and considered him “God-like.”

Strapp remains suspended as a teacher pending the outcome of the case.

A verdict will be delivered on December 17th.