Story perspectives

Quebec Court Overturns Coach's Sexual Assault Conviction

4/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Quebec’s Court of Appeal overturned the guilty verdict against skating coach Richard Gauthier for sexual assault and gross indecency against a young athlete in the 1980s.
Gauthier had received a 12-month jail sentence in 2023.
His lawyers argued the verdict violated rules against multiple convictions for the same incident.
Judge Patrick Healy found the complainant's testimony contained omissions and contradictions, so the burden of proof was not satisfied.

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Story summary

Quebec’s Court of Appeal overturned the guilty verdict against skating coach Richard Gauthier for sexual assault and gross indecency against a young athlete in the 1980s.
Gauthier had received a 12-month jail sentence in 2023.
His lawyers argued the verdict violated rules against multiple convictions for the same incident.
Judge Patrick Healy found the complainant's testimony contained omissions and contradictions, so the burden of proof was not satisfied.