Former Olympic coach Vicente Modahl denies child sex offences

A former Olympic athletics coach has denied raping and sexually assaulting a child.

Jose Vicente Leiva-Modahl, 65 – who was previously married to former Olympic middle-distance runner Diane Modahl – appeared at Manchester Crown Court where he pleaded not guilty to 19 charges.

Judge Nicholas Dean KC, Honorary Recorder of Manchester, released him on bail but said the first available date for a trial would be 4 September 2028.

He said: “It just can’t be right that a case of this nature has to be adjourned until 2028, but that’s beyond my control.”

Mr Modahl – who goes by the name Vicente Modahl – is next due to appear at the same court for a pre-trial hearing on 8 June.

He denies five counts of rape, four counts of assault by penetration, six counts of sexual assault, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity and one count of coercive or controlling behaviour.

All the offences, said to have taken place between 2012 and 2024, related to a single female who cannot be identified.

The judge told Mr Modahl: “It is with a heavy heart that I adjourn any trial for an amount of three years, but that’s the state of play at the moment.

“It is a stark contrast to a position we would be in if this defendant was in custody, we would be trying the case in the summer of next year.”

He told the defendant to stay in contact with his solicitors who will try to get an earlier trial date, should one become available.

He added: “That’s very much a regret for me, no doubt as much as a disappointment for you, but we are dealing with a very significant volume of work. The possibility of an earlier date will be discussed with your lawyers.”

Mr Modahl’s bail conditions are for him to reside at an address in the Warrington area, to abide by an electronic monitoring curfew from 21:00 to 07:00 and not to contact witnesses in the case.

The defendant, who was arrested at an airport as he returned to the UK from Spain, must also refrain from applying for any travel documents through British, Norwegian or Spanish authorities, and was also ordered to surrender his Spanish passport.

He must have no unsupervised contact with anyone under 18.

Mr Modahl coached British athletes including Diane Modahl, David Grindley and Guy Bullock and also acted as an agent.

He has been suspended by governing body UK Athletics.

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