Western Sydney gymnastic coach charged with sexually touching girls

A western Sydney gymnastics coach has been granted strict bail on a $40,000 surety after the alleged sexual abuse of young gymnasts.

A western Sydney gymnastics coach who police say is barred from working with children has been charged over the alleged sexual abuse of young gymnasts.

The man, aged 54, was arrested on September 6, after detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad began investigating him in July following reports a girl had allegedly been sexually abused during gymnastics training.

The man was arrested at Leonay. Picture: NSW Police

He will face court on September 7. Picture: NSW Police

Initial inquiries revealed he had been refused a Working With Children Check in 2016, with his current status being barred, according to police.

During the course of the investigation, a further four girls reported being sexually abused by the coach, police allege.

Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested the man at a home at Leonay about 11am on Monday.

He was taken to Penrith police station, where he was charged with engage in child-related work without clearance/application, eight counts of intentionally sexually touch child aged 10-16 years, intentionally sexually touch child under 10 years, sexually touch person 16-17 years under special care, and sexually touch person 17-18 years under special care.

He appeared at Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, where he was granted strict bail by Magistrate Fiona Toose on a $40,000 surety.

In documents tendered to the court, police allege the man sexually touched five girls – aged between nine and 17 – on numerous occasions between January 2020 and June 2021.

The case will return to court next month.