Former Basketball Coach Sentenced for Sexual Assault
Court's Verdict and Sentencing
Jérémy Huck, a former basketball coach, was sentenced to 14 years in prison by the Bas-Rhin criminal court for rape and sexual assault on minor players he supervised in Bas-Rhin and Dordogne. Despite facing up to 20 years of imprisonment, the Attorney General Eric Lallement had requested ten years, expressing regret that Huck neither fully acknowledged the facts nor his perverseness. The court emphasized the betrayal of trust placed in Huck by the victims and their parents.
Details of the Crimes
Huck was accused of rape and sexual assault on three young players and sexual assault on a fourth, who had claimed during the investigation that she had consented. The incidents began in 2015 and continued until 2021, primarily occurring at Huck's home. He maintained that the teenagers, aged 13 and 14 at the time, were consenting. However, testimonies from the victims painted a different picture, with one recounting crying and bleeding during the act. Experts described Huck's actions as perverse, noting his belief that it was up to the young girls to set limits.
Impact on the Victims and Huck's Future
The victims, now adults, described Huck as a confidant who exploited their vulnerabilities. The court highlighted the ongoing suffering of the victims, including a loss of self-confidence and difficulties in intimacy. Huck, who had retrained to work in healthcare and is expecting a child with his partner, admitted his responsibility but denied some of the accusations. The trial, held behind closed doors, concluded with a unanimous agreement among experts about Huck's perversion.
- The trial also revealed that Huck had romantic relationships with each of the victims, claiming he fell in love easily. His defense argued for the reclassification of the charges to sexual assault, stating there was no violence, threat, coercion, or surprise involved. However, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him of the more serious charges.
- Huck's actions have had a profound impact on the victims, who were particularly vulnerable due to personal issues such as family problems and a lack of friends. The court's decision aims to provide a sense of justice and closure for the victims, while also serving as a warning to others in positions of authority over minors.
