World News

Three former British athletes convicted in Morocco in child sexual assault case

The convictions are linked to the case of UK Athletics coach Leon Baptiste, who is currently imprisoned in Marrakech.

Updated Aug 28, 2026 · 18:24 UTC1 reports

The short version

Three former British athletes—Will Sharman, Richard Sharman, and Lamin Deen—and two acquaintances were convicted in Morocco of participating in the enticement of a minor.
The convictions stem from an investigation into former UK Athletics coach Leon Baptiste, who is serving an eight-month prison sentence in Morocco for the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl.
The five men, who received suspended sentences and fines, stated through their lawyers that they were unaware of the convictions until contacted by BBC Sport.

Former British athletes Will Sharman, Richard Sharman, and Lamin Deen, along with Ashley O'Leary Jones and David Tuck, were convicted in June of participating in the enticement of a minor. Their convictions and four-month suspended sentences were upheld on appeal in July.[BBC News]
The group was acquitted of a separate charge of inciting a minor to engage in prostitution.[BBC News]
Through their lawyers, the five men stated they rejected any suggestion they knowingly engaged in unlawful conduct and believed they had only paid an administrative fine of about £40 before leaving Morocco.[BBC News]
The prosecution of the men is linked to the case of UK Athletics coach Leon Baptiste, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl and is serving an eight-month sentence in Morocco's Al-Oudaya prison.[BBC News]
The Moroccan court found that the five men sat at the same table as the minor and assisted Baptiste in deceiving and persuading her to engage in sexual relations.[BBC News]
Several other individuals, including a villa housekeeper, security guards, and a nightclub manager, were also convicted in connection with the case.[BBC News]