Crown waiting for clarification before sharing disclosure in gym coach case

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on September 13, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

The lawyer for a former Lethbridge gymnastics coach accused of sexually assaulting several young girls, is still waiting to receive disclosure from the Crown’s office.
Calgary lawyer Kirsten Lancee will have to wait in line, however.
During a hearing Monday in Lethbridge Court of King’s Bench, Lancee said she has yet to receive outstanding disclosure from the Crown in relation to Jamie Ellacott’s case. The Crown, however, is waiting for police to clarify a couple of points in the disclosure package before it can be shared with the defence.
In the meantime, the case has been adjourned to the next King’s Bench hearing on Oct. 23.
Ellacott faces four counts each of sexual interference and sexual assault of a person under the age of 16.
He was initially charged in July of last year with single counts of sexual assault and sexual interference after police responded to a report that a seven-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted between May and June of 2022 while attending the Lethbridge Gymnastics Academy in the 3200 block of 32 Street North.
Ellacott was released from custody on that matter with numerous conditions including he not have any contact with the child and not have any contact or communication directly or indirectly with any person under the age of 16 unless in the presence of a responsible adult.
The following August, police reported three more girls, ages 10, 12 and 14, were sexually assaulted during sessions at the gym the previous May, and Ellacott was charged again and released on bail with conditions he not have any contact with the girls or witnesses.

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