Former teacher and badminton coach charged with historical sex crimes against young males

Victoria police have arrested a former youth badminton coach for alleged sexual assaults dating back to the 1970s and is asking for additional victims to come forward.

Harry Charles Sadd, 70, has been charged with one count of sexual assault from 1983 and three counts of indecent assault by a male on a male person between 1978 and 1981.

In a statement, police say a victim, who is now an adult, came forward to report multiple alleged sexual assaults that occurred while he was a child and teen.

They say the victim was inspired by the stories Theo Fleury and Sheldon Kennedy, who were both abused as youths by a trusted, renowned hockey coach.

Sadd has previous convictions for sexual assaults involving young male children and teens, police said.

Because of these past convictions and the victim's accounts, police say there may be more victims who they have not heard from, both here and in other provinces.

"All victims of sexual assault deserve to be heard," Sgt. Kristi Ross of the Victoria Police Department said in a statement.

"Our investigation tells us that there are likely others out there who have been hurt by this man."

"Harry Sadd's actions have left these victims to carry the burden of what he has done their entire lives, often suffering in silence. They no longer have to suffer. We will listen. We will believe you," said Ross.

Sadd was a teacher in Alberta and may have held similar work in other provinces, according to police, making it "likely" there are victims in other provinces.

"Indecent assault by a male on a male person" has not been in the criminal code since 1983, but Victoria police say the charges are based on the law at the time in the jurisdiction where the offence took place.

Sadd has been released on bail with conditions that include staying away from places frequented by young people.

With files from Megan Thomas