Morocco Jails Former UK Athletics Coach Over S£xual Assault on Minor

An English athletics coach and former gold medallist, Leon Baptiste, 41, has been handed a custodial sentence in Morocco following his conviction for the s£xual assault of a minor. This development brings an end to weeks of speculation surrounding the whereabouts of the ex-British sprinter, who had been reported missing.

Baptiste, who was providing consultancy services as a sprint coach for UK Athletics, disappeared after travelling to Morocco. Neither UK Athletics nor the athletes he coached had any explanation for his sudden lack of communication. In May, Baptiste sent a brief message to his coached group, informing them he would be absent from training "for a while," but offered no further details.

Reports began circulating in the media over the weekend, describing him as "missing" and having vanished in Morocco. By Tuesday, an email was dispatched on Baptiste's behalf to the individuals he coached—the 2010 Commonwealth Games 200m gold medallist—announcing his resignation from the role, citing undisclosed health issues.

However, a source within the Moroccan Ministry of Justice has since clarified the situation to BBC Sport. The source confirmed that Baptiste was apprehended in Marrakech in May, subsequently found guilty, and is now incarcerated at Al-Oudaya prison. The Ministry official stated, "In relation to the reports concerning the alleged 'disappearance of Leon Baptiste' - an English athletics coach reportedly missing in Morocco for more than two months under questionable circumstances - please note that the information published in this regard is inaccurate and does not reflect the facts of the case."

The official further elaborated that "The foreign national concerned had not lost contact with his surroundings and was not subject to any disappearance or unexplained absence." They affirmed that Baptiste is "currently being held at the local prison in Marrakech, where he is serving a custodial sentence following his conviction by the competent judicial authorities in connection with a misdemeanour case," adding that the 41-year-old was "in good health."

A spokesperson for the Morocco Public Prosecution Office corroborated the sentence and the nature of the conviction. They added, "The British national is currently being held at the local prison in Marrakech, where he is serving a custodial sentence following a court judgment against him in connection with his involvement in a criminal case." In Morocco, an individual is legally considered a minor if they are under the age of 18.

When questioned directly about Baptiste's situation, a UK Foreign Office spokesperson stated, "We are supporting a British national who is detained in Morocco and are in contact with the authorities."