A coach has pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a girl he trained on October 2, 2022, with sentencing submissions scheduled for January next year.
The man’s name is being withheld to protect the identity of the complainant.
Acting State Counsel Paul Prescod told the court the girl regarded her coach as a father figure. When her mother was unavailable, he would help by taking her to practice sessions at several sites, including the Wildey Gymnasium. He would also take her for food.
On that October date, the complainant attended a hike in St John. The coach also attended, bringing along two children. After the hike, he dropped off the other children and took the complainant to a fast-food restaurant before driving to Mangrove, St Thomas, where they parked and ate.
The girl said the man asked her for a hug. Describing what happened next, she said: “As I reached to hug him, he pulled my body towards him with his left hand supporting my back and inserted his right hand inside my pants and my underwear.” He then indecently assaulted her.
“He asked me if it felt good, and I told him that it felt weird. I was shocked at his actions,” she said.
The girl reported the incident to her mother, who called in the police. The coach denied the allegation and opted not to give a written statement when he was arrested.
He is represented by attorney Simon Clarke.
Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell will begin sentencing proceedings on January 19, 2027.
(JB)
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