British athletes convicted in Morocco sexual assault case

Former British athletes have been convicted in Morocco following an investigation into the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl. Leon Baptiste, a UK Athletics coach and 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, was sentenced to prison for the sexual assault. His sentence was later reduced from ten months to eight months on appeal.

Other individuals involved, including former athletes Will Sharman, Richard Sharman, and Lamin Deen, as well as Ashley O'Leary Jones and David Tuck, were convicted of participating in the enticement of a minor. While the court acquitted them of inciting prostitution, it found they assisted Baptiste in misleading the minor into sexual activities. These five men received suspended four-month sentences and fines.

The investigation began after the minor reported being taken to a villa in Tamensourt, near Marrakech, where she claimed she was assaulted by a housekeeper after not receiving promised money for sexual acts with Baptiste.

Legal representatives for the five men stated they were unaware of the convictions until informed by BBC Sport. They maintained that they believed the matter had been resolved through the payment of an administrative fine of approximately £40 and denied any knowing engagement in unlawful conduct.