Industry News
“The accused acted as a veritable predator, spinning his web carefully to attract young women, teenagers, and to exercise total control over them. His search for sexual pleasure had no limits while he was in a position of authority over these young Canadian competitive skiers.” – Quebec court Judge Sylvain Lepine said in his ruling
A former high-performance Canadian ski coach, 52-year-old Bertrand Charest, has been found guilty of 37 charges related to sexual assault and exploitation of his female students aged 12 to 19 years of age yesterday.
These crimes all occurred over 20 years ago when Charest was training ski racers aspiring to be professionals in their sport.
These charges took place before and during Charest’s time with Alpine Canada’s women’s development team from 1996-1998.
Charest was tried for 52 charges ranging from sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and one of sexual assault causing bodily harm.
12 women testified in the case claiming abuse between 1991 and 1998 in Quebec, Whistler, New Zealand, and the USA.
All but one of the abused girls were under 18 years old. One girl was only 12.
One girl became pregnant via Charest at the age of 15 and had an abortion.
“Alpine Canada recognizes the courage of those former athletes involved in this trial, and we are very appreciative that through their bravery to come forward, justice has been served.” – Alpine Canada
Charest has been in custody since his arrest in March 2015.
Charest’s case will return to Canadian court on August 23rd for his sentencing.
Lock him up, pure scum