A Sydney swim coach has died in hospital, a month after he was convicted of raping and sexually abusing six of his teenage students.
Dick Caine, 78, was in palliative care with terminal cancer.
His death from the illness was confirmed on Wednesday morning.
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Last month, Caine was found to have committed 39 sexual offences, including rape and indecent assault, on female members of his swimming squad.
The assaults took place at the Carss Park swimming pool in Sydney’s south in the 1970s and ‘80s, as well as at Caine’s home and in his car, with the victims ranging in age from 10 to 16 years.
The full details of the case were revealed after Caine’s lawyers lost a bid for his identity to be kept secret, saying naming him publicly could have detrimental effects on his health.
Due to his illness Caine was excused from answering the allegations directly, meaning the case was heard by way of a special hearing in lieu of a trial.
In handing down the verdicts, NSW District Court Judge Paul McGuire said he found the evidence given by the victims was reliable despite the significant amount of time since the incidents.
“I am satisfied that each of the elements of each of the offences has been established beyond reasonable doubt,” he said.
Several of the victims who were in court let out sighs of relief, hugged each other and wiped away tears as the verdicts were read out.
“We’ve done it,” one of them said.
They welcomed the court’s findings as beyond their expectations, saying having Caine’s name and legacy permanently associated with his crimes was another important form of closure.
– With AAP