Former hockey coach loses appeal of sex assault convictions

TORONTO - A former hockey coach who befriended an Etobicoke family to “systematically and repeatedly” sexually abuse their two youngest sons is now serving a seven-year sentence after losing his appeal.

The Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the convictions and prison sentence Monday against Michael Dimmick.

The retired Bell Canada engineer, who was on bail for 18 months pending appeal, stepped into custody Sunday and will now remain in prison until he’s paroled.

Dimmick’s lawyer, Alan Gold, argued that the sentence imposed by Justice Mary Lou Benotto in 2013 was excessive because Dimmick was 75 years old. Gold also asserted the inconsistencies in the victims’ accounts should have raised a reasonable doubt and resulted in acquittals.

While the appeals court praised Gold’s work, it stated it “wasn’t persuaded that Benotto had erred in her judgment or her sentence.”  (more...)

Former hockey coach loses appeal of sex assault convictions