Warning: This story contains sensitive and graphic content that may be disturbing to some readers who have experienced sexual violence or abuse. Discretion is advised.
The Parole Board of Canada’s Appeal Division has dismissed an appeal by former Western Hockey League coach Bernie Lynch, upholding the decision to revoke his parole.
The 71-year-old, who is serving a sentence for sexual assault, argued the revocation was unfair and unreasonable. In a decision dated Jan. 16, the Appeal Division rejected those claims.
Lynch’s parole was revoked in August 2025 after it was suspended for breaching his conditions. The suspension stemmed from Lynch contacting the victim of his 1988 sexual assault by sending a Facebook friend request.
Get breaking National news
Lynch had, without success, argued that the parole board had been unfair to him.
In January 2024, Lynch was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of sexual assault, along with receiving a 30-day sentence for assault. Both sentences will run concurrently.
In 2023, the former coach was convicted in the case.
For more than two years, the court heard testimonies from both the complainants and the defence on the charges of sexual assault of a 17-year-old boy in August of 1988.
Lynch was said to have sexually and physically assaulted the teenage boy.
The victim, whose name remains under a publication ban, claimed in court that he was struck in the testicles by Lynch with a ring of keys following a day of hockey camp, which the victim was helping teach.
Lynch worked as an assistant coach for the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats at that time.
The judge found him guilty of both offences.
–with files from Jeanelle Mandes and Victoria Idowu, Global News
- Former prince Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
- Former prince Andrew ‘released under investigation’ 11 hours after arrest
- Tumbler Ridge school shooting victim set to hopefully return home soon from Vancouver hospital
- Shia LaBeouf arrested after fight during Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Comments
Comments closed.
Due to the sensitive and/or legal subject matter of some of the content on globalnews.ca, we reserve the ability to disable comments from time to time.
Please see our Commenting Policy for more.