More British athletes convicted in connection with Baptiste case

Three British former athletes were convicted in Morocco as part of an investigation into the sexual assault of a minor by a sprinting coach, BBC Sport can reveal.

The prosecutions led to the imprisonment of Leon Baptiste, a UK Athletics coach and 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist for England in the 200m.

Baptiste was originally reported as missing in Morocco in some media articles published on 14 August, before a BBC Sport investigation revealed his conviction and jailing.

Now, court rulings seen by BBC Sport shed more light on other convictions relating to the same case.

Two-time Commonwealth silver medallist hurdler Will Sharman, his brother and ex-bobsleigh athlete Richard Sharman, and fellow former bobsleigh competitor Lamin Deen, who were all on holiday with Baptiste, were convicted of participating in the enticement of a minor.

Also convicted of the same offence were acquaintances Ashley O'Leary Jones and David Tuck.

The group said via their lawyers that they were never arrested and were unaware of their convictions until informed of them by BBC Sport.

A spokesperson for all five men told BBC Sport: "William, Richard, Lamin, David and Ashley are shocked and distressed by the circumstances in which they have unexpectedly found themselves.