The mystery surrounding British athletics coach Leon Baptiste has taken an unexpected turn. After months without contact, the former champion was found to have been serving a prison sentence in Marrakech.
Baptiste had reportedly travelled to Morocco and stopped communicating with athletes he coached in the United Kingdom. His sudden absence raised concerns after he sent a brief message in May saying that he would be away for some time.
Moroccan authorities have now confirmed that the British coach was arrested in Marrakech in May. He was subsequently convicted and sent to prison in connection with a sexual assault involving a minor.
According to information confirmed by Moroccan judicial authorities to BBC Sport, Baptiste was initially sentenced to 10 months in prison. His sentence was later reduced to eight months following an appeal.
He is currently being held at Al-Oudaya prison in Morocco.
The case puts an end to speculation surrounding his disappearance. Moroccan authorities have rejected the idea that Baptiste simply vanished while travelling in the country and confirmed that he is in custody and receiving appropriate care.
The British government is also aware of the situation. The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that it is providing consular assistance to a British national detained in Morocco and remains in contact with Moroccan authorities.
Baptiste was known in British athletics as a coach working with several high-level sprinters. His athletes included Olympic medallist Charlie Dobson, whose training arrangements were affected after Baptiste suddenly stopped communicating.
His disappearance had therefore created uncertainty within the British athletics community, with other coaches stepping in to support members of his training group.
The case highlights how a disappearance reported from abroad can sometimes have a very different explanation from initial speculation. In Baptiste’s case, the Moroccan authorities say the British national was not missing but had been detained following a judicial proceeding.
