the 07/22/2008

Australian coach accused of US teen rape

Rick Lee, of Perth, who was leading a team of 10 junior cyclists ona tour to Pennsylvania, has been charged with the rape of the girlat her home in Lehigh Township on Tuesday.

He is yet to post bail of $US125,000 ($128,600) and is in custodyat Northampton County Jail ahead of a court hearing next Wednesday(local time).

Mr Lee faces 20 years jail if convicted of charges includingstatutory rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravatedindecent assault, burglary and trespass.

The high-profile West Australian cycling coach, who was leading theteam of Australian cyclists on a month-long competition tour, hadbeen preparing them for a junior championship meet at the LehighValley velodrome this weekend.

In an affidavit prepared for Pennsylvania legal authorities, LehighTownship Detective Robert Hawke said the girl's mother had made anemergency ambulance call and been first to lay a complaint ofsexual assault involving her daughter.

Det Hawke said the girl told police she had been confronted at herhome by a man matching Mr Lee's description, who "forced herupstairs, ripped her clothes off, pinned her down and rapedher".

"He used a condom and left it on the table," theaffidavit quoted her as saying.

She said the man had taken the already unwrapped condom from a boxof the prophylactics and she was unsure whether the condom was usedor unused.

Police are analysing DNA from the condom and fingerprint evidencefrom the condom box.

The girl had said the "whole thing took place within 10 to 15minutes" before the man left the house by the front door andwalked away.

"The Northampton Ambulance Service was called and requested torespond," the affidavit said.

The girl was taken to a local hospital where she was examined andmedical evidence was handed to police.

She was injured as a result of Lee's actions, the affidavit said,but did not elaborate.

Det Hawke said police had a photograph of the alleged attacker thathad been emailed to the girl.

She told police she "didn't know the male and never had anycontact with him".

The girl's computer was also seized as evidence, the affidavitsaid.

Mr Lee's wife Debbie is among many West Australians who have beenshocked by the allegations.

She said her husband's alleged actions were totally "out ofcharacter".

He had worked with children all his life and had never doneanything wrong, Mrs Lee said.

She said one version of events she had been given was that herhusband had been "tricked" by a girl who claimed she was19.

"He's not the kind of guy who would do anything againstanyone's wishes," she said.

Track Cycling WA vice-chairman Tony Harman said: "I'm not agreat fan of Rick Lee, but the allegations would surprise me.

"I wouldn't think he'd be that stupid.

"If this is proven, it would be a massive stigma for hiscoaching career.

"He'd be gone." Share this article