The trial of Aleksandr Plehanov, a Coquitlam substitute teacher facing charges of sexual interference and sexual assault, is expected to wrap up in the summer.
Lawyers for the crown and the defence agreed that more time would be needed after the two weeks initially scheduled for trial ended on Friday.
The proceedings are now expected to resume for one day on Feb. 10 before continuing on June 21 and 22 with two more days scheduled for July 3 and 4.
On Friday the court heard from Mark Clay, who was the principal of Hazel Trembath elementary while Plehanov was a substitute teacher at the school.
Clay described a meeting he had with Plehanov and a staff representative in November 2007, where the accused was warned about inappropriate touching.
The meeting was held, Clay said, after a parent complained that Plehanov had put his hand on a child's shoulder and rubbed the student's back.
"The conversation was to let Mr. Plehanov know that that was inappropriate," he told the court. "When you put a hand on a student, that can make them uncomfortable."
Another teacher called to testify on Friday said she witnessed several incidents involving the accused when he was substituting at Rochester elementary.
Elspeth Anjos, a learning innovations coordinator with School District 43, said on two separate occasions she saw a student sit on Plehanov's lap. Both times she said she told the accused that type of behaviour was inappropriate.
A third incident involved a student coming up from behind Plehanov and hugging him.
"I said this was really not acceptable," she said. "I told him after that that I would need to talk to the principal about it."
All three incidents, she added, were initiated by the students.
Anjos also described the chaotic environment in Plehanov's classroom. She said the students were extremely noisy and that Plehanov had a difficult time getting them to focus and tend to him.
The trial continues.
