Allegations against a gymnastics coach facing numerous counts of sexual assault and other sexual offences were first brought before Gymnastics Ontario in October 2021, some 16 months before he was charged and the public was informed.
Ben Cooper, 27, of Toronto, faces multiple charges involving teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 that spanned eight years between 2014 and 2022.
Cooper was employed with gyms in both Ottawa and Kingston, Ont., until 2021, but Ottawa police allege the sexual offences continued into 2022 and took place during his coaching duties and after hours.
None of the allegations against Cooper has been proven in court. Gymnastics Ontario CEO Dave Sandford said they were first informed about allegations against Cooper in October 2021, a month after he last worked at Trillium Gymnastics in Kingston, Ont.