Former Commonwealth champion Leon Baptiste jailed in Morocco over sexual assault

Former Commonwealth Games sprint champion and athletics coach Leon Baptiste is serving an eight-month prison sentence in Morocco following his conviction for sexually assaulting a minor, according to Moroccan judicial authorities.

The development has ended weeks of uncertainty surrounding the 41-year-old British athlete’s whereabouts after reports in the UK suggested that he had disappeared while travelling in the North African country.

According to Moroccan judicial sources, Baptiste was arrested in Marrakech in May and subsequently prosecuted over the alleged offence.

He was initially sentenced to 10 months in prison, but the sentence was reduced to eight months following an appeal. He is currently being held at Al-Oudaya prison on the outskirts of Marrakech.

A source within Morocco’s Ministry of Justice confirmed that Baptiste remains in custody and dismissed reports suggesting that he had gone missing.

The case has also drawn attention in Britain because of Baptiste’s prominent career in athletics and his work with elite sprinters.

Baptiste won gold medals for England in both the 200 metres and the 4×100-metre relay at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

After retiring from competitive athletics, he developed a career as a sprint coach and consultant, working with several high-profile British athletes.

His detention in Morocco reportedly left members of his training group without their coach. Among the athletes associated with his coaching work are Olympic bronze medallist Charlie Dobson and Paralympic silver medallist Zac Shaw.

Before his arrest became publicly known, Baptiste reportedly informed members of his training group that he would be away for an unspecified period because of personal matters.

An email subsequently circulated on his behalf announcing his resignation from his coaching responsibilities, with health reasons reportedly cited.

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed that it is providing consular assistance to a British national detained in Morocco.

A spokesperson said British officials were in contact with Moroccan authorities regarding the case.

Baptiste’s conviction and imprisonment mark a dramatic turn in the career of an athlete who once represented England at the highest level and later became involved in the development of Britain’s elite sprint talent.