A former basketball coach has been charged with a number of sex-related offences over alleged interactions with a young teenager.
Guelph police arrested Cheryton Bennett, 30, on Wednesday in relation to reported incidents said to have occurred between 2018 and 2022, when the complainant was 12 to 15 years old.
Bennett is charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and uttering threats.
At the time she was a coach with the Tri-City Thunder basketball organization.
“Privacy laws prohibit the disclosure of additional details. However, the Guelph Police Service wants the public to be aware of this individual’s presence in the community,” states a news release. “Protection of the public and protecting victims of crime are top priorities.”
Bennett is subject to several conditions, the release notes. Among them is not to attend public parks or swimming areas where anyone under the age of 16 is present or is reasonably expected to be present.
There’s also a prohibition in place for school properties, playgrounds, daycare centres and community centres.
Additionally, the accused is not to seek, obtain or continue any activity that involves being in a position of authority for anyone under the age of 16.
Anyone with information about the alleged incidents, or others involving Bennett, is asked to call Det.-Const. Dave Gamsby or Det.-Sgt. Jeff Taylor at 519-824-1212 ext. 7505/7333 or email [email protected].
