Lethbridge gymnastics coach facing more sexual assault charges
A Lethbridge gymnastics coach accused of sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl he coached is now facing additional charges.
Jamie Ellacott, 33, was arrested on July 12 and charged with sexual assault and sexual interference.
Lethbridge police say further investigation has identified three more young girls from the same facility, the Lethbridge Gymnastics Academy, who reported being sexually assaulted during sessions in May 2022.
Police say the victims were 10, 12 and 14-years-old.
Officers arrested Ellacott again on Wednesday.
He is now facing three more counts of sexual assault and three more counts of sexual interference.
Mallory Kristjanson is the mother of a student who was enrolled at the camp before the original charges. She pulled her child out of the camp before they attended but is fighting to get a refund.
“Heart broken," she said. "That there's three more children impacted by this man's actions. One was too many.”
“They've actually refused any of my phone calls, they haven't returned any of my phone calls," she added. "Parents who wrote very thorough emails challenging their refund policy have not also had any response back whatsoever."
SUPPORT CHILDREN
“You want to be supportive of anyone who's involved in these cases," said Kristine Cass, the CEO of the Chinook Sexual assault centre. "Again we need to support children when they're coming forward, anyone when they're coming forward that is talking about harms that have been done to them. We have to take them seriously.”
“(There needs to be) two people there when you're in a dressing room especially. We have to touch people when we're doing athletics to show where things like the foot needs to be placed and things like this," she said. "But how you introduce the touch and how you do certain things is quite prescriptive.”
Ellacott was released from custody but must follow several conditions, including not having contact with any of the victims or witnesses.
He is scheduled to appear in court on the new charges on Aug. 31.
Investigators are asking anyone with information on the investigation to call police at 403-328-4444 and reference file 22014303.
With files from Quinn Keenan
Jamie Ellacott, a former gymnastics coach with the Lethbridge Gymnastics Academy, was arrested on July 12 and charged with sexual offences involving a seven-year-old girl. (File)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.