A former Vernon hockey coach’s appeal of a sexual assault conviction begins today.
The B.C. Court of Appeal is hearing arguments Oct. 20 in the matter of 56-year-old Keith Gordon Grant Chase, who was convicted in March 2022 for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl.
Chase was the girl’s hockey coach and a family friend at the time of the alleged incident, which took place in 2004 in Chase’s home the night before a game.
Chase was sentenced to 23 months jail in BC Supreme Court on Oct. 28, 2022, but didn’t serve time as he appealed the sentence that same day.
Chase is appealing to have a new trial, arguing the trial judge erred by failing to properly consider inconsistencies between the complainant’s police statement and her trial testimony.
The appeal hearing is taking place at the B.C. Court of appeal in Vancouver.
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