British sprinter Leon Baptiste, a gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison in Morocco for sexually assaulting a minor. Baptiste, 41, was reported missing by UK Athletics, where he worked as a consultant sprinting coach, after traveling to Morocco two months prior.
Baptiste had informed the athletes he was coaching that he would be absent "for a while" in May, without further explanation. An email sent on behalf of the sprinter on Tuesday announced his resignation, citing unspecified ill health.
However, a source from the Moroccan Ministry of Justice confirmed to the BBC that Baptiste was arrested in Marrakech in May. He was subsequently convicted and is currently serving his sentence at Al-Oudaya prison. The source stated that reports of him being missing were inaccurate and that he was in good health and not subject to any unexplained absence.
Morocco's Public Prosecution Office confirmed the sentencing and the nature of the conviction to the broadcaster. A spokesperson stated that a British national is serving a prison sentence in a local Marrakech prison following a court judgment.
Baptiste had been in Morocco with three other former British athletes, all of whom have since returned to the UK. It is understood that Baptiste's family is aware of his custodial sentence. Several top British sprinters, including Olympic bronze medalist Charlie Dobson and Paralympics silver medalist Zac Shaw, are now without a coach. Relay coach Martyn Rooney and European gold medalist Adam Gemili are reportedly assisting the affected athletes.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed they are supporting a British national detained in Morocco and are in contact with the local authorities.
