{"id":2116937,"date":"2026-08-28T17:54:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T14:54:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2116937"},"modified":"2026-08-28T17:54:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T14:54:59","slug":"leon-baptiste-other-british-athletes-convicted-in-connection-with-coachs-sex-assault-of-minor-in-morocco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2116937","title":{"rendered":"Leon Baptiste: Other British athletes convicted in connection with coach&#8217;s sex assault of minor in Morocco"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/461f\/live\/e59da700-9ca4-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"ssrcss-2fe4mx-ArticleWrapper e1nh2i2l0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div data-block=\"headline\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<header data-testid=\"headline\">\n<h1 id=\"main-heading\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-8zqj65-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">More British athletes convicted in connection with Baptiste case<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pflr6j-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/461f\/live\/e59da700-9ca4-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/461f\/live\/e59da700-9ca4-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/461f\/live\/e59da700-9ca4-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/461f\/live\/e59da700-9ca4-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/461f\/live\/e59da700-9ca4-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/461f\/live\/e59da700-9ca4-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>BBC Sport via Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Leon Baptiste (left) is currently in prison in Marrakech, while Will Sharman (centre) and Lamin Deen (right) were given suspended sentences<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"byline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"single-byline\" class=\"ssrcss-sevsa1-ContributorContainer ee66fvo3\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dt4z-ContributorInfo ee66fvo0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">By<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-nsjd43-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Daniel Austin<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-dqo7s5-ContributorDetails ee66fvo2\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1m5444d-Text ee66fvo4\">BBC Sport senior journalist<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"metadata\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"metadata\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-08-28T17:54:59.135Z\">2 hours ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">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.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The prosecutions led to the imprisonment of Leon Baptiste, a UK Athletics coach and 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist for England in the 200m.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Now, court rulings seen by BBC Sportshed more light on other convictions relating to the same case.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Also convicted of the same offence were acquaintances Ashley O&#8217;Leary Jones and David Tuck.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The group said via their lawyers that they were never arrested and were unaware of their convictions until informed of them by BBC Sport.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A spokesperson for all five men told BBC Sport: &#8220;William, Richard, Lamin, David and Ashley are shocked and distressed by the circumstances in which they have unexpectedly found themselves. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;They reject any suggestion that they knowingly engaged in unlawful or improper conduct. They left Morocco believing they had complied with all requirements placed upon them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;At the time, they understood that they had paid an administrative fine equivalent to approximately \u00a340 and that the matter had concluded.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">BBC Sport understands that police raided a villa in Tamensourt on the outskirts of Marrakech after a girl contacted them claiming she had been brought to the property, had not been paid money she was promised in exchange for sex with Baptiste, and that she had been assaulted by a housekeeper after she was accused of stealing a watch.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Baptiste, 41, was subsequently convicted of sexual assault of a minor and given a 10-month prison sentence, which was subsequently reduced to eight months on appeal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Court documents refer to the girl as being 16 years old and say she suffered &#8220;psychological trauma, sexual exploitation, physical assault and injury, and the violation of her human dignity&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Court records show that in June the five men were given suspended sentences of four months and fines of 500 dirhams (\u00a340) each after being convicted of participating in the enticement of a minor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">All five men were acquitted of a separate charge of inciting a minor to engage in prostitution.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Morocco presidency of the public ministry, which oversees prosecutions in the country, provided BBC Sport with the court judgement regarding the group, which reads: &#8220;The defendants were in the company of [Leon Baptiste] and were seated at the same table as the minor, alongside her. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;They thereby assisted him in deceiving the minor and persuading her to engage in sexual relations [with Baptiste]. This constitutes participation in the enticement of a minor. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;The court found them guilty on this count and decided to convict them for these acts.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The group had already left Morocco by the time the decision was handed down. Their convictions and sentences were upheld after an appeal hearing in July.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In a response provided by their lawyers to BBC Sport, the Sharman brothers, Deen, O\u2019Leary Jones and Tuck say they visited the Montecristo nightclub based on a recommendation provided by their driver, and had no reason to believe it was anything other than a respectable establishment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">They say they were unaware of the girl&#8217;s age and that some members of the group do not even recall seeing her in the nightclub. The villa they were staying in was vast and the interaction between the men and Mr Baptiste while inside the villa was limited.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">They also say that they were not present in court on any occasion, that the court process was not in English and that it was not explained to them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The spokesperson continued: &#8220;What has unfolded over recent months has been a distressing and incoherent saga. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;They did not properly understand the proceedings and were completely shocked on being told that they were the subject of a criminal conviction, when that is not how they understood it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Companies House records and a biography on one of O&#8217;Leary Jones&#8217; social media profiles show he is a director of a company operating five children&#8217;s care homes in Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Tuck&#8217;s social media biography indicates he is a military veteran, while a CV posted online lists experience coaching women&#8217;s and children&#8217;s football clubs including at Stoke City, Apollon Limassol in Cyprus, and Orlando Pride in the USA.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">When asked by BBC Sport to comment on the convictions and the potential safeguarding issues raised, the UK Foreign Office, Home Office, and Department for Culture, Media, and Sport declined to provide a response.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Records also show that other people were convicted in relation to the case.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">They include the housekeeper of the villa and two of its security guards, who were each given a two-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 5,000 dirhams (\u00a3396).<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The manager of the Montecristo nightclub where the group met the girl was sentenced to two months in jail.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A waiter at the Montecristo was also prosecuted, as was the owner of the agency which rents out the villa.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The girl &#8211; a Moroccan national &#8211; was awarded civil compensation of 60,000 dirhams (\u00a34,784), to be paid jointly by all of those convicted, plus court costs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"Where-is-Baptiste-now\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Where is Baptiste now?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Baptiste is currently serving his sentence in Al-Oudaya prison, and resigned from his position as a consultant coach via a message sent on his behalf to UK Athletics on 18 August citing unspecified ill-health.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Baptiste will be deported from Morocco once he is released from prison. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">His case was able to move through the system quickly, with only weeks between his initial arrest and sentencing, because Morocco operates a system in which Baptiste swiftly appeared before a judge and not a jury.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">At an appeal hearing in July, two months were taken off his sentence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The sprinters coached by Baptiste were unaware of the reason for his abrupt lack of contact since telling them he would be absent from training &#8220;for a while&#8221; in May.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"Who-are-the-other-athletes-convicted\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Who are the other athletes convicted?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Will Sharman won silver medals in the 110m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and 2014, as well as at the 2014 European Championships, and has worked on the BBC gameshow Gladiators.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The 41-year-old was also featured on BBC Radio 4 as an accomplished pianist in 2015, and appeared as a panel guest on an episode of A Question of Sport in 2014.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">His brother Richard, 44, formerly competed in elite-level bobsleigh competitions for Great Britain. On social media he describes himself as an industrial engineer running his own company, as well as a pilot and investor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pflr6j-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/b1bf\/live\/6b959ca0-9ca5-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/b1bf\/live\/6b959ca0-9ca5-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/b1bf\/live\/6b959ca0-9ca5-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/b1bf\/live\/6b959ca0-9ca5-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/b1bf\/live\/6b959ca0-9ca5-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/b1bf\/live\/6b959ca0-9ca5-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Richard Sharman competed for Great Britain at the 2010 Bobsleigh World Cup<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Lamin Deen, 45, is a former lance sergeant who served in the grenadier guards during conflicts in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo, and competed in bobsleigh at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2018 edition in Pyeongchang. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He worked as a pundit for TNT Sports during the 2026 Games in Milan-Cortina.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1i71ggd-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/9a8a\/live\/ed187720-9ca0-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/9a8a\/live\/ed187720-9ca0-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/9a8a\/live\/ed187720-9ca0-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/9a8a\/live\/ed187720-9ca0-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png.webp 624w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Montecristo<\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">On its website, Montecristo bills itself as a &#8220;temple dedicated to partying in Marrakech [which] is undeniably the favourite place for hedonists in the city&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In some online reviews and social media posts, the Montecristo is referred to as a known meeting place for sex workers and potential clients.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The venue was closed by Moroccan authorities during the investigation and has not reopened since.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A statement referring to the case was posted on its social media channels on 15 May, saying: &#8220;Montecristo would like to provide clarification and reaffirm its commitment to the values that have always defined us.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness and are fully co-operating with the relevant authorities in a spirit of transparency and responsibility.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">BBC Sport has contacted Montecristo for comment but received no reply.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">On Saturday the Moroccan charity Touche Pas \u00c0 Mon Enfant (Don&#8217;t Touch My Child) released a statement criticising the sentence Baptiste was given.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;While fully respecting judicial independence and the decisions handed down by competent courts, we cannot hide our astonishment and deep concern regarding a sentence of such duration in a case involving the sexual assault of a minor &#8211; particularly given that the sentence was reduced on appeal,&#8221; the statement reads.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Sexual assaults committed against children are not ordinary offences &#8211; they can leave victims with profound and lasting physical and psychological trauma.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;In this context, we question the precise legal classification of the acts and the circumstances that led to the imposition of this sentence and its subsequent reduction on appeal.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In 2016 UNAIDS estimated that around 75,000 sex workers were operating in Morocco.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The children&#8217;s rights organisation Humanium has called sex tourism &#8220;a thriving industry&#8221; in Morocco.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"topicList\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"topic-list\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nj9heb-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pfbb52-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-w8zanw-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>Athletics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/athletics\/articles\/c5yenn85dqgo&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/461f\/live\/e59da700-9ca4-11f1-a5a0-114ca9d4a1bc.png&#8221;] More British athletes convicted in connection with Baptiste case Image source, BBC Sport via Getty ImagesImage caption, Leon Baptiste (left) is currently in prison in Marrakech, while Will Sharman (centre) and Lamin Deen (right) were given suspended sentences ByDaniel Austin BBC Sport senior journalist Published 2 hours ago Three British former athletes 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