Former N.W.T. teacher denies abusing boys

WARNING: This article contains graphic details that may be disturbing. It also may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone affected by it. 

A former N.W.T. teacher and coach accused of sexually assaulting some of his players denied he had any kind of sexual contact with his accusers.

Neil Barry testified in his own defence on Monday, at the beginning of the third week of his jury trial in Yellowknife.

When asked by his lawyer if he had fondled the boys he coached, Barry answered: "Never. Nothing like that ever happened."

The prosecutor alleges Barry sexually abused four boys, then aged 16 to 18. The offences are alleged to have occurred between 2007 and 2011.

Barry testified that he was on good terms with his players and that they maintained contact with him and visited him after he stopped coaching them, and after the alleged sexual assaults occurred.

His lawyer questioned him about a Facebook message exchange with one of his accusers years after the alleged incidents. Barry messaged the player to suggest he should get his passport and join a team Barry was coaching in Arizona.

"I wouldn't mind playing for you one more time," the former player responded.

Barry said he had no involvement in some of the events where the assaults allegedly occurred, including the Canada Games basketball tryouts in Yellowknife in 2009, where his accusers say Barry initiated sexual contact with them. Barry said he knew two of his former players were trying out for the team but had no contact with them.

Barry said there is a grain of truth to some of the allegations levelled against him.

He said he did play card games at his home with some of the players he coached, but said there was never any drinking during the games, as the players allege. He said one card game they played included dares where "once or twice" players or he would be required to take off clothing down to their underwear.

"It wasn't sexual in any way," testified Barry. "It was just a dare, to be funny."

Barry said, similarly, there was a grain of truth to some of the former players' allegations that he masturbated in front of them.

Barry said two of the players who were staying with him and his wife in their home once walked into the bathroom as he was masturbating.

"I said get out. He kind of saw what I was doing, because he was laughing."

Barry said the other boy then poked his head in and mocked him.

Barry is expected to face questioning by the prosecutor on Tuesday.

For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. ​​If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.