STONY PLAIN — A former teacher and hockey coach charged with sexually exploiting a teenage player has given an Alberta court his side of the story.
Robert Paolinelli, who already pleaded guilty, took the stand at his sentencing hearing on Tuesday in Stony Plain.
The 42-year-old said the two were drunk and the youth accepted his offer of sexual acts.
But he also said that he never groped the teen or tried to kiss him.
The youth told court on Monday that he never accepted any offers from his coach and that Paolinelli did make sexual advances.
The teen said the two were living together in October 2011 when the alleged acts occurred.
A date has not yet been set for a decision.
Paolinelli agreed to the guilty plea in exchange for the Crown dropping charges of sexual assault and unlawful confinement.
His defence lawyer argued that the teenager may not be remembering details correctly because he was drunk. Brian Vale told court all Paolinelli did was put his hand on the boy’s leg.