Quebec Court of Appeal Overturns Sexual Assault Verdict for Montreal Skating Coach

Quebec Court of Appeal Overturns Sexual Assault Verdict for Montreal Skating Coach
Richard Gauthier (R), a former Canadian pairs skating coach, who was found guilty of sexual assault, gross indecency, arrives for sentencing at the Montreal courthouse with his lawyer Giuseppe Battista in Montreal, on Nov. 6, 2023. The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi
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Quebec’s Court of Appeal overturned a guilty verdict against a renowned skating coach accused of sexual assault and gross indecency, saying the burden of proof was not met.

Richard Gauthier was found guilty of having assaulted a teenage male skater in the 1980s and sentenced to 12 months in jail in 2023. He was acquitted of a third count of indecent assault against the victim, whose identity is covered by a publication ban.