Former Team GB Member Charged With Child Sex Offences And Rape

A former British Olympic athletics coach has been charged with child sex offences and rape.

Jose Vicente Leiva-Modahl is facing 19 charges in total including two counts of raping a child and seven counts of sexual assault.

All charges relate to the same woman between 2012 and 2024, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

It follows an investigation by Greater Manchester Police.

The 65-year-old Norwegian, who is also known as Vicente Modahl, is the husband of former Commonwealth Games 800m champion Diane Modahl.

James Bolton-Smith, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS, said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Vicente Leiva-Modahl for a number of serious sex offences, including offences relating to child sexual abuse.

"Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

"We have worked closely with Greater Manchester Police as they carried out their investigation."

Leiva-Modahl appeared from custody at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday for a hearing in which no pleas were indicated.

District judge Richard Jepson sent the case to Manchester Crown Court, telling Leiva-Modahl some of the allegations too serious to be dealt with at the Magistrates' Court.

Leiva-Modahl, who has been suspended by governing body UK Athletics, has been granted conditional bail ahead of a plea hearing on November 18.