Lethbridge gymnastics coach charged with sexual assault

Posted on 14 July 2022 by Prairie Post

Lethbridge Police have charged a local gymnastics coach in connection with the sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl.

On July 5, 2022 police responded to a report that a seven-year-old girl was sexually assaulted while attending a session at the Lethbridge Gymnastics Academy along the 3200 block of 32 Street North. Further investigation by members of the Violent Crimes Unit determined the child was sexually assaulted by her coach during sessions at the gym between May and June 2022.

The 33-year-old male coach was arrested without incident on July 12.

Jamie Ellacott, 33, of Lethbridge, is charged with sexual assault and sexual interference.

Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing on July 13, Ellacott was released from custody and is bound by numerous conditions including:

• No contact with the victim
• No contact or communication directly or indirectly with any person under the age of 16 unless in the presence of a responsible adult
• Prohibited from attending any public swimming area, school and school yard, daycare, youth shelter or public library
• Prohibited from seeking or maintaining any employment or volunteer position involving a position of trust or authority over a person under the age of 16

Police have also notified the Alberta Gymnastics Federation, the governing body for gymnastics in Alberta.

At this time no additional victims have been identified or come forward.

Investigation in the matter is ongoing. No additional information will be released and police will not provide further comments at this time.