BBC Sport has revealed that the previous Commonwealth 200m champion, reported lacking on the weekend, was arrested in Marrakech in Might and has since been convicted
The thriller over the whereabouts of Leon Baptiste has taken a severe flip, with BBC Sport revealing that the previous Commonwealth 200m champion and British sprints coach was arrested in Marrakech in Might and is now serving a 10-month jail sentence in Morocco for sexually assaulting a minor.
Baptiste, 41, a former AW cowl star, had been reported lacking over the weekend after going out of contact with UK Athletics and the athletes he coached for greater than three months. AW coated the preliminary issues for his welfare.
A supply on the Morocco Ministry of Justice advised BBC that stories of a „disappearance“ have been inaccurate, confirming Baptiste is being held on the native jail in Marrakech following his conviction. A spokesperson for the Morocco Public Prosecution Workplace additionally confirmed the sentence. In Morocco, a minor is outlined as anybody below 18.
A UK International Workplace spokesperson confirmed it’s „supporting a British nationwide who’s detained in Morocco.“
In Might, Baptiste despatched a quick message to the athletes he coached saying he can be absent from coaching „for some time,“ giving no additional rationalization.
His absence disrupted preparations for Charlie Dobson, Zac Shaw and others forward of the Commonwealth Video games and European Championships, with Adam Gemili and Martyn Rooney stepping in to assist the affected athletes.
Learn AW’s authentic report on issues for Baptiste’s welfare right here.
