Former Hay River swim coach facing sexual assault charges

Yellowknife Courthouse (CKLB File photo).

A former swim coach and school trustee from Hay River is in court facing more charges of sexual assault.

Michael St. John is accused of sexually assaulting a youth in or around 2010.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

The victim, who is still a minor, testified before the court by video on Tuesday. The victim’s identity is protected under a publication ban.

The victim alleged St. John gave inappropriate massages to their back and buttox area.

Only one specific incident was discussed but the victim alleged the inappropriate massages happened on multiple occasions.

The lawyer representing St. John asked the victim why they didn’t bring forward the allegations when they first gave a statement to police back in 2014.

The victim says they had not processed what had happened to them at that time, but did when they brought the allegations to police in 2017.

St. John will be back in court Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m.

He was convicted for similar charges in 2015.

About the Author

Luke Carroll
Luke Carroll is a journalist originally from Brockville, Ont. He has previously worked as a reporter and editor in Ottawa, Halifax and New Brunswick. Luke is a graduate of Carleton University's bachelor of journalism program. If you have a story idea, feel free to send him an email at luke.carroll@cklbradio.com