A figure skating coach suspended due to allegations of sexual misconduct against children made his first public appearance in Supreme Court this morning.
Thirty-year-old Matthew Power was initially suspended three years ago by Skate Canada, and the police were called in.
At the time, the national body told VOCM News that Power was prohibited from taking part in any skating events on an interim basis.
Six months later, in July of 2021, he was charged with sexual interference and assault, as well as child luring and making sexually explicit material available to a child.
Suspended figure skating coach Matthew Power, 30, is escorted into Supreme Court by defence lawyer Rosellen Sullivan. Power is charged with several child sex offences. He has coached in the metro region and with NL’s 2019 Canada Winter Games team. pic.twitter.com/jRFevhXCBF
— VOCM News (@VOCMNEWS) January 16, 2024
It’s not clear how many kids were involved, but publication bans on their names are automatic in such cases.
Power has remained free on conditions, walking into Supreme Court this morning with his lawyer Rosellen Sullivan.
He’s from Marystown but had been coaching while working as a car salesman in the metro area.
In addition to working at the club level, he coached with Team Avalon in 2014 and the province’s 2019 Canada Winter Games team, and competed himself at the national level.
Power’s trial by judge alone was due to start this morning but got sidetracked by an issue that cannot be reported.
The trial proper, with first evidence and witnesses, is due to start tomorrow.