Lorne Cook, a former Upper Canada College science teacher accused of sexually assaulting teenaged students, testified in his defence yesterday for the first time.

Mr. Cook, 67, gave the court laconic responses, ranging from "I did not" and "Never" to "No," in response to questions about whether the alleged incidents took place or if complaints have been filed against him in the past.

The retired UCC teacher has pleaded not guilty to allegations of sexually assaulting three students under 14 between 1978 and 1994. In 2004, he was charged with four sex-related charges, including sexual assault and indecent assault.

Mr. Cook's responses to his lawyer, John Rosen, came at the end of testimony in which he explained that the only physical contact he had with his students was during his "super-learning" sessions, an alternative learning method that uses music and breathing exercises.

Three former UCC pupils have testified that Mr. Cook fondled them during simulated kidney transplants, hands-on mock operations conducted in class or "super-learning" sessions.

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