Track and Field Coach Acquitted of Sexually Assaulting Teen

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A Supreme Court jury has acquitted a track and field coach at Doris Johnson High School of sexually assaulting a member of his team by a vote of 6-2.

The jury of four men and four women cleared 54-year-old Robert Ayton of one count of indecent assault and two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor of the same sex after deliberating for over four hours.

Prosecutors had alleged that Ayton first molested the boy at age 14 during cross-country training sometime between October 1 and 31 in 2019. 

The boy injured his leg during the meet and Ayton allegedly touched his genitals while giving him a massage.

Ayton was also accused of having sex  relations on two separate occasions between June 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021,  at his home and at the school.

Ayton testified that the allegations were lies.

He also called another member of the track team who testified that the complainant had a reputation as a liar.