Pedophile swim coach ‘Dick’ Caine dies, weeks after sex assault convictions for attacks in 1970s and 1980s

Caine has died just weeks after being told his ill health would see him be spared jail for rapes and sexual assaults in the 1970s and 1980s.

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Pedophile swim coach Richard “Dick” Caine has died just weeks after being told his ill health would see him be spared jail for rapes and sexual assaults he committed in the 1970s and 1980s.

Caine, 71, died in hospital on Wednesday morning where he had been in palliative care following a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Celebrated for his remarkable ability to train Olympic and world champions, Caine’s school at Carss Park attracted thousands of young swimmers, dreaming of a career on the international stage.

But by January 2021, one woman could take it no longer and finally told police about the monster lurking in the deep end.

Eighteen months later, just after daybreak on a cold winter’s morning, detectives arrived at Caine’s Condell Park home, arrest warrant in hand for his alleged attacks on six women.

Dick Caine leaving court in June 2022 with his lawyer (left) and wife Rita (right). Picture: Daily Telegraph

Despite the seriousness of his attacks, Caine was told last month by Judge Paul McGuire he would not go to jail despite being convicted at a judge-alone trial.

Dozens of witnesses gave evidence throughout the five-week hearing, but the case was shrouded in secrecy after Caine’s legal team secured a last-minute gag order amid fears their client might commit suicide if the case was reported in the media.

That order was lifted last week when Judge McGuire found the prosecution had proven its case in all 39 charges against Caine, on the limited evidence available.

However, Caine was found not criminally responsible for his acts because of his deteriorating mental and physical health.

His case was due to return to court in December.

More to come