Former elite swimming coach Dick Caine has been revealed as a serial paedophile after a judge found he had sexually abused six underage students,and lifted an order concealing his identity to the applause of his victims.
Caine,who was head coach at the Carss Park swimming pool in Sydney’s south for decades,pleaded not guilty to 39 charges against girls aged 10 to 16 across the 1970s and 1980s.
Dick Caine was the long-running head coach at the Carss Park swimming pool in Sydney’s south.Chris Lane
The 78-year-old did not appear for a single day of his lengthy judge-alone special hearing in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court after he was previously deemed unfit to face a criminal trial due to health reasons.
The court heard on Wednesday that Caine was in palliative care in hospital.
Delivering his long-awaited judgment,Judge Paul McGuire found “on the limited evidence available,the accused committed the offence charged” on all 39 counts against all six victims,some of whom attended court and welcomed the outcome as “closure”.
Dick Caine with his lawyer and wife after his arrest in 2022.Brook Mitchell
Caine’s offending includes multiple counts of indecent assault of a child and unlawful carnal knowledge of a pupil,a form of sexual assault.
A non-publication order over Caine’s identity expired as the verdicts were returned. The judge refused another application by Caine’s lawyers to have a further order imposed for one week,attracting cheers and applause from the victims in the public gallery.
Lawyer Amelia Causley-Todd,representing Nine,the owner of this masthead,fought against the last-ditch secrecy bid,arguing the offences were among “the most serious” that can be committed,particularly due to Caine’s position of authority,and that there was “incredible public interest”.
The judge said he was persuaded that the interests of open justice were fundamental,including fair,accurate and timely reporting of criminal proceedings.
McGuire found Caine had a tendency to have a particular state of mind,being a sexual interest in prepubescent and pubescent females,and to act on that in a particular way,including touching their breasts,forcing oral sex,digital penetration and sexual intercourse with girls for whom he was a swimming coach.
He was further satisfied the elements for each offence had been established beyond reasonable doubt.
“I find that none of the complainants consented to any of the sexual contact,and that the accused knew that none of them consented,” the judge said.
Caine’s offending occurred in the pool sauna,gym,female toilets,his office,home and car.
The court heard his victims had “genuine” hopes of competing in the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games,which were “dashed because of the accused’s conduct”.
After the coach’s abuse,one victim had disposed of her collection of sporting memorabilia and trophies.
“Those items,which were things she otherwise would have found wonderful and been proud of,had become a nightmare,” the judge said.
Another victim had received annual Christmas cards from Caine,and found them “to be a reminder of the accused’s previous threat for her to keep quiet”.
Regarding one count of sexual intercourse without consent,the judge said there was evidence Caine had “fought against” his victim’s resistance.
McGuire,acknowledging the delay of the complaints brought against Caine,said common features of child sexual abuse include trauma and shame,and that in this case there was a power imbalance and age disparity.
He said Caine created fear by his authority,and many of the victims had been “reliant on the accused to assist them in achieving their Olympic aspirations”. Caine was arrested in June 2022.
Prosecutors and Caine’s lawyers will make submissions in relation to a penalty at a hearing in December.
If you or anyone you know needs help,call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see),the (1800RESPECT) on 1800 737 732,or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
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