AUBURN – The trial of a former Auburn elementary school teacher accused of molesting female pupils went to the jury Wednesday after the defendant took the stand and denied that he ever touched children in an inappropriate manner.

James Raymond Jr., 27, testified that he lied to police when he said he was attracted to young children and had urges to touch them.

Jurors weighed the evidence for 2 1/2 hours in Androscoggin County Superior Court before the judge sent them home. Deliberations will resume Thursday.

The case stems from a complaint by a student who said Raymond put his hand up her skirt and touched her buttocks. Other students later came forward with similar complaints, one of whom testified that Raymond touched her leg from ankle to knee, causing her to feel uncomfortable.

Raymond’s attorneys say the alleged touching took place while other students and even teachers were present and that no one reported seeing anything inappropriate.

Raymond, the founder of the Central Maine Children’s Theatre Project, is free on $5,000 bail.