A former high-level figure skating coach has been convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager in the 1980s. Richard Gauthier abused his authority to shower and sleep naked with his “favorite” athlete, according to the judge , who rejected his defence.
“Not only is the accused not credible, but his testimony is also unreliable. It contains certain additions, flagrant contradictions, and evolves over the questions asked in cross-examination, ”concluded Judge Josée Bélanger at the Montreal courthouse on Wednesday.
During the reading of the judgment, Richard Gauthier sometimes nodded from left to right to signal his disapproval. Until his indictment in 2020, the 61-year-old enjoyed an immense reputation in the Canadian figure skating community, having even been inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017. He has since been suspended by Skate Canada.
His victim, a man in his fifties, was visibly moved at the end of the hearing. His testimony was almost entirely accepted by the judge, although the facts date back almost 40 years.
“I hope this decision will send a positive message to all survivors who have experienced sexual assault in the past. The passage of time does not erase actions and, above all, does not undermine credibility. I hope that this decision will be able to encourage the victims to denounce, “insisted the prosecutor of the Crown Me Amélie Rivard after the judgment.
“He went through the buttocks”
One day in 1984, Clément* finds himself in the apartment of his high-level figure skating coach. In his twenties, Richard Gauthier was well aware that his 14-year-old protege admired him. Their relationship even makes other club skaters jealous.
After a swim in the building’s swimming pool, Richard Gauthier starts a “sauna bath” in his small bathroom. Coach and victim end up washing “each other” in the shower. “He asked me to wash him. He washed my back, my legs and went through my buttocks, ”Clement testified.
At trial, Richard Gauthier denied having touched the victim. However, he contradicted himself on certain important elements, including the presence of towels to hide in and the erection of the victim. The judge therefore did not believe him.
After the shower, Richard Gauthier went to bed naked in the “spoon” position with the young athlete who was also naked. “He was like, ‘I love you, you’re like my little brother. I felt his penis glued against me, ”testified Clément. During this same event, the accused sat on the victim and massaged her legs, brushing her testicles. A traumatic experience for the victim.
An “illogical and absurd” explanation
Richard Gauthier explained at trial that he remained naked in bed so as not to make the boy uncomfortable. An “illogical and absurd” explanation, according to Judge Bélanger, since the accused had already found himself naked with the victim in the bathroom.
According to the judge, Richard Gauthier tried to give a “watered down” version of the events. However, the accused had a sexual interest in the victim, concluded the judge. Moreover, he knew that the situation was “abnormal” and that he was on “slippery ground”, as he had told the police.
“He notes two semi-erections in the plaintiff, despite this, he takes a shower with him, he washes him, while they are both still naked, then sleep together, in the same bed”, sums up the judge. Thus, even though he was aware of the risks, he persisted in his actions. And the boy did not consent, according to the judge.
However, the judge did not accept two elements of the victim’s testimony. Thus, she was not convinced that Richard Gauthier had masturbated in bed next to the teenager. Clément’s testimony, “although sincere, is imprecise and unreliable” on this subject. Also, the judge does not believe that the victim masturbated in the pool, while his trainer was watching him.
Richard Gauthier was thus sentenced to counts of sexual assault and gross indecency. He is defended by Mr.e Giuseppe Battista.
*Name changed to protect the identity of the victim.