A Toronto police traffic officer accused of sexually assaulting a stripper took the stand in his own defence on Friday, denying he groped the woman or pointed his firearm at her as she has alleged.

Const. Joseph Green said he routinely visited For Your Eyes Only, a high-end downtown strip club, while on duty to keep an eye on the place and ensure the safety of those inside and deter drinking and driving.

Green, who stands about 6-foot-9, said the dancer greeted him with a hug on the night of the incident in October 2004.

"She said, 'you're big' and I pointed at her breasts and said 'those are big, did you get them done?'" the officer testified.

"We were laughing and joking, then a few minutes later I could see that the comment upset her and I said 'what's with the attitude?"

The constable said he was holding his police radio in his hand at the time, which may have looked like a firearm inside the dark club.

Green's exchange with Crown attorney Jamie Klukach became heated at times.

"You were at home in this place and you really didn't think it would be a big deal if you touched her breasts?" Klukach asked.

"Absolutely not -- I pointed at her breasts and made a joke," Green answered.

"And then you exercised some deplorably bad judgment and pulled out your gun as part of the joke," the prosecutor charged.

"I had no reason to pull out my gun and endanger her life," Green said.

The complainant, who cannot be identified because of a publication ban, testified that Green touched her breasts, and when she objected to the act, he pulled out his police-issued gun and pointed it at her face.

Another dancer and two other witnesses also testified they saw a firearm in Green's hand, while a bouncer at the club said he didn't see a gun.

Green's lawyer, Gary Clewley, has accused the dancer of lying about the incident because she was hoping for a quick cash settlement. The complainant has filed a $250,000 lawsuit against the officer and the police force.

Green, an eight-year veteran, has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, pointing a firearm and careless use of a firearm.

After being charged, he had his firearm taken away and was reassigned to desk duties.

Final arguments are expected to take place on Monday.

With a report from CTV's Chris Eby