An English athletics coach, Leon Baptiste, previously celebrated as a 200m gold medallist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, is currently serving an eight-month prison sentence in Morocco for sexually assaulting a minor. Reports from BBC Sport reveal that Baptiste, who had been coaching several top British athletes in preparation for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and European Championships, abruptly lost contact over three months ago.

In May, Baptiste informed his athletes via a brief message that he would be absent from training for an unspecified duration, leaving both UK Athletics and the athletes puzzled about his disappearance. Recently, media outlets reported him as "missing" in Morocco.

Further updates revealed that Baptiste was arrested in Marrakech in May, convicted, and sentenced by local judicial authorities. Sources from the Moroccan Ministry of Justice confirmed that his initial 10-month sentence was reduced to eight months on appeal. They clarified that Baptiste had not vanished but was in custody, maintaining good health while serving his sentence at Al-Oudaya prison.

In response to inquiries, a spokesperson from the UK Foreign Office stated they are supporting the British national detained in Morocco. Baptiste had traveled to Marrakech with three other former British athletes, all of whom have since returned to the UK, while his family is reportedly aware of his situation.