Former Olympic Coach Denies Serious Allegations in Court
Jose Vicente Leiva-Modahl,a former Olympic athletics coach,has pleaded not guilty to 19 charges including rape adn sexual assault. The 65-year-old, previously married to middle-distance runner Diane Modahl, entered the pleas at Manchester Crown Court. The case centers around alleged offenses committed between 2012 and 2024, involving a single female complainant whose identity is protected.
The Charges & Court proceedings
Mr. Modahl - known as Vicente Modahl – faces a meaningful number of serious accusations. these include:
* five counts of rape
* Four counts of assault by penetration
* Six counts of sexual assault
* Two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
* One count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity
* One count of coercive or controlling behavior
Judge Nicholas Dean KC released Mr. Modahl on bail,but expressed concern over the extensive delay in securing a trial date. Currently, the earliest possible trial date is set for September 4, 2028. this lengthy wait is attributed to significant backlogs within the court system.
The judge acknowledged the frustration this delay causes, stating a custodial defendant woudl have seen a trial much sooner – perhaps as early as next summer. He urged Mr. Modahl’s legal team to actively pursue any opportunities for an expedited hearing.
Bail Conditions & Restrictions
As part of his bail conditions, Mr.Modahl must adhere to several restrictions. These are designed to ensure the safety of potential witnesses and the integrity of the ongoing legal process. Specifically, he is required to:
* Reside at an address in the Warrington area.
* Comply wiht an electronic monitoring curfew between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
* Refrain from any contact with witnesses involved in the case.
* Surrender his Spanish passport and is prohibited from applying for travel documents in the UK, Norway, or Spain.
* Have no unsupervised contact with individuals under the age of 18.
Mr. Modahl was arrested upon his return to the UK from Spain, highlighting the seriousness with which authorities are treating these allegations.
A Career on Hold
Vicente modahl has had a long career in athletics, coaching prominent british athletes. He has worked with Diane Modahl, David Grindley, and Guy Bullock, and also served as an athlete’s agent. Following his arrest, UK Athletics has suspended him from his position.
A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for June 8th at Manchester Crown Court. You can expect further updates as this case progresses.
