Former Montreal high school coach acquitted of sex-related charges involving player

A former coach at a Montreal high school was acquitted Thursday of sexual exploitation while in a position of authority and assault causing bodily harm.

Daniel Lacasse, who was a longtime coach at École secondaire Saint-Laurent, was accused of sex-related crimes involving a member of the school's girls basketball team. The charges date back to 2022.

The victim claimed to have had multiple sexual encounters with her coach when she was 16 and 17 years old. Lacasse maintains that the relationship began when the young woman was attending CEGEP and was his assistant for training sessions.

Judge Alexandre Dalmau stated that his ruling does not mean the events did not occur, but that there remains reasonable doubt as to whether they took place before or after the teenager turned 18.

Dalmau emphasized that Lacasse's conduct could be described as morally questionable, but the court must draw the line at 18 years of age.

Crown prosecutor Jérôme Laflamme said the judge followed the steps laid out by the Supreme Court of Canada with contradictory testimonies, and the doubt forced him to acquit the accused. 

The judge also said that his decision does not give permission to people in Lacasse's position to wait until young people are adults to have sexual relations with them. 

Laflamme said these sensitive cases can lead to convictions, and in this case, the victim did everything she could.

"She disclosed the situation to authorities," he said. "She testified in trial. She showed tremendous courage."

Lacasse left the courthouse without making any comments to the media.