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English athletics coach and former Commonwealth champion Leon Baptiste is serving a prison term in Morocco after being convicted of sexually assaulting a minor, BBC Sport has revealed.
The 41-year-old, who had been working with several leading British sprinters ahead of this summer’s Commonwealth Games and European Championships, unexpectedly stopped communicating with athletes more than three months ago.
Baptiste, who previously served as a consultancy sprint coach for UK Athletics, informed the athletes he worked with in May that he would be away from training for some time.
No reason was provided for his sudden absence.
Reports later emerged claiming that the former 200m Commonwealth champion had gone missing while in Morocco.
However, Moroccan authorities have confirmed that Baptiste was arrested in Marrakech in May and subsequently convicted.
He is currently being held at Al-Oudaya prison.
According to a source within Morocco’s Ministry of Justice, Baptiste initially received a 10-month sentence, which was reduced to eight months following an appeal.
The ministry rejected reports suggesting that Baptiste had disappeared, saying he had remained in contact with his surroundings and was not the subject of an unexplained disappearance.
Moroccan prosecutors also confirmed that the British citizen is serving a custodial sentence following a court ruling in a criminal case.
Authorities said Baptiste was in good health.
Under Moroccan law, anyone below the age of 18 is considered a minor.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed that it is assisting a British citizen detained in Morocco and is communicating with local authorities.
Baptiste had reportedly travelled to Marrakech alongside three other former British athletes, all of whom have since returned home.
His relatives are also understood to have been informed about his imprisonment.
His sudden departure created difficulties for several British sprinters, including Olympic bronze medallist Charlie Dobson and Paralympic silver medallist Zac Shaw, who were left without their usual coach during preparations for major championships.
Four-time European champion Adam Gemili and relay specialist Martyn Rooney subsequently provided additional coaching support.
However, sources told BBC Sport that Baptiste’s absence significantly affected the athletes’ preparations, with the disruption occurring during an important stage of their competitive careers and leaving some of them frustrated and inadequately prepared.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong
