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By Vicki Gilhula
The defence for a Sudbury priest charged with fondling young girls rested its case Wednesday morning.
The jury hearing evidence regarding Rev. Donald Holmes, who is on trial on 15 counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault, will be back in the courtroom after the long weekend to hear summations from the Crown and the defence.
At that time Justice Louise Gauthier will also instruct the jury before they begin their deliberations Tuesday.
Holmes, who was a priest at St. Jean Brébeuf Church in Sudbury, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Crown dropped two charges, one of indecent assault and one of gross indecency Monday.
Twelve women have testified that the priest kissed or touched them when they were young parishioners.
Holmes denied all the allegations under oath earlier this week.
On Wednesday, the jury heard testimony from HolmesÂ? sister. She told the court her brother had back surgery in 1970 and after that time found it uncomfortable to hold her children on his lap.
He would shift from side to side when holding them, she said.
Earlier testimony suggested the priest asked young girls to sit on his lap, and then he would move inappropriately under them.
Under cross examination, the Crown got the priestÂ?s sister to say that back surgery had not prevented her brother from playing hockey with the Flying Fathers.
Â?But thatÂ?s not real hockey,Â? she said.
Holmes, 63, testified earlier that he was friendly and outgoing with everyone and that he used hugs and kisses to show affection.
The charges date back to alleged assaults between 1972 and 1984 at the Sudbury church and a church in Sturgeon Falls.
