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Ex-ski coach Bertrand Charest to appeal sex-crime convictions

Former ski coach Bertrand Charest stood trial for sexual assault and breach of trust, in connection with 12 alleged victims between the ages of 12 and 19.
Former ski coach Bertrand Charest stood trial for sexual assault and breach of trust, in connection with 12 alleged victims between the ages of 12 and 19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mike McLaughlin

A former high-performance Canadian ski coach convicted of 37 sex-related charges involving the exploitation and sexual assault of his young female students is appealing the verdict.

READ MORE: Ex-ski coach Bertrand Charest found guilty of 37 charges in sex trial

Bertrand Charest‘s lawyer argues the trial judge erred in several instances and that his client should be acquitted on all charges or granted a new trial.

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Quebec court Judge Sylvain Lepine called Charest a sexual predator when he convicted him last month on charges involving nine of the 12 women who’d accused him.

READ MORE: Ski director who helped hire Bertrand Charest takes stand in sex assault trial

The crimes date back more than 20 years when he trained aspiring professional downhill skiers.

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Charest, 52, was acquitted on 18 of the charges, while the court said it didn’t have jurisdiction over two other counts that happened abroad.

READ MORE: Woman testifies Bertrand Charest put his hands in her pants when she was a minor

The 57 charges included sexual assault, sexual exploitation and one of sexual assault causing bodily harm.

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