Prosecutors in Perth have stopped charges against a gymnastics coach who was accused of sexually abusing two children he was coaching at the Northern Districts Gymnastics Club NDGC Gabriel Sim, 36, was alleged to have indecently dealt with the children between February 2019 and January 2021.
He was charged with five counts of indecently dealing with a child aged over 13 years and under 16 years of age, and one count of indecently dealing with a child under 13 years of age.
All charges were dropped by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in West Australian District court earlier this week.
The charges were laid in March last year after Sport Integrity Australia SIA referred allegations against him to the WA Police.
At the time, NDGC did not inform its members, which resulted in one mother pulling her daughter out of the club.
At the time, Brenton Treacher said the club had not wanted to prematurely communicate details of the case with its broader parent group, because it could have created risks for those involved and potentially jeopardised the police investigation.
He also revealed that the club had terminated Mr Sim's employment.
In a statement to its members last week, Mr Treacher said it had been told last week that the indecent dealing charges against its former coach had been withdrawn.
He was restricted as to what he could discuss because he was still a police case.
Since the case was brought to our attention 12 months ago, NGDC has worked tirelessly to make sure that we continue to provide a safe environment for all members, he said.
With a strong commitment to the safety, participation, and empowerment of all children, please know that the team and I are here for you and your family, should you have any questions. Mr Treacher told the ABC he was confident that the club was now the safest facility in WA, if not Australia.