High-profile Canadian skating coach found guilty of sex assault, gross indecency

A renowned Canadian pairs skating coach has been found guilty of sexual assault and gross indecency.

Richard Gauthier was facing three charges dating back to the 1980s involving a teenage male skater whom he trained.

Gauthier, 61, was found guilty of two charges in a ruling rendered in Montreal by Quebec court Judge Josée Bélanger.

He was acquitted of a third count of indecent assault against the victim, whose identity is covered by a publication ban.

Gauthier spent more than three decades training world class pairs skaters.

He was inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame as a coach in 2015.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2023.