Editor’s note: This article was updated on September 1, 2026, after representatives for William Sharman, Richard Sharman, Lamin Deen, David Tuck and Ashley O’Leary Jones disputed the BBC Sport reporting on which the article relied. The attribution has been clarified throughout, and the five men’s statement has been published in full.
BBC Sport reported that five British men, including three former athletes, were convicted in Morocco of participating in the enticement of a minor in a case involving former British athletics coach Leon Baptiste.
The broadcaster, which said it had reviewed the relevant court rulings, identified the men as former hurdler and two-time Commonwealth silver medalist William “Will” Sharman, his brother and former bobsleigh athlete Richard Sharman, former bobsleigh competitor Lamin Deen, Ashley O’Leary Jones and David Tuck.
BBC Sport said each man received a four-month suspended prison sentence and a fine in June.
Citing a Moroccan court ruling it said it had reviewed, BBC Sport reported that the five men were with Baptiste and seated at the same table as the minor. According to the broadcaster’s account, the court found that they helped Baptiste deceive the girl and persuade her to engage in sexual relations with him.
The five men were acquitted of a separate charge of inciting a minor to engage in prostitution, according to BBC Sport. The broadcaster said their convictions and sentences were upheld on appeal in July, after they had left Morocco.
The men told BBC Sport that they were never arrested and learned of the reported convictions only after the broadcaster contacted them.
A spokesperson for the men subsequently sent Hespress EN a statement detailing that “William, Richard, Lamin, David and Ashley are shocked and distressed by the circumstances in which they have unexpectedly found themselves. They reject any suggestion that they knowingly engaged in unlawful or improper conduct and absolutely refute that they engaged in any inappropriate conduct towards a minor. They left Morocco believing they had complied with all requirements placed upon them.
They were never arrested, never detained, never remanded in custody, never required to attend court and were permitted to leave Morocco and return home. At the time, they understood that they had paid an administrative fine equivalent to approximately £40 and that the matter had concluded. What has unfolded over recent months has been a distressing and incoherent saga. 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.”
According to BBC Sport’s account, Moroccan police raided a villa in Tamensourt, near Marrakech, after a 16-year-old girl contacted the authorities.
The girl alleged that she had been brought to the property and had not received money she had been promised in exchange for sex with Baptiste. She also alleged that a housekeeper assaulted her after accusing her of stealing a watch, BBC Sport reported.
Court documents cited by the broadcaster stated that the girl suffered psychological trauma, sexual exploitation, physical assault and injury, as well as a violation of her human dignity.
BBC Sport reported that Baptiste was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor and initially sentenced to 10 months in prison. His sentence was reduced to eight months on appeal.
Other people were convicted in connection with the case, according to the broadcaster. The villa’s housekeeper and two security guards received two-month suspended prison sentences and fines of 5,000 dirhams, while the manager of the Montecristo nightclub was sentenced to two months in prison.
A nightclub waiter and the owner of the agency that rented out the villa were also prosecuted, BBC Sport reported.
The girl was awarded 60,000 dirhams in civil compensation, to be paid jointly by those convicted, in addition to court costs, according to the broadcaster.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.