Vernon hockey player's alleged sexual assault case returns to trial

A woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by her hockey coach recounts her experience once again.

The victim, whose identity is being protected, returned to Vernon Supreme Court on Monday, May 27, detailing her younger years on the ice.

The accused, Keith Chase, has pleaded not guilty to a sexual assault that allegedly took place in 2004.

Chase was indicted in 2020, convicted in 2022 and sentenced to two years in 2023. But he appealed the conviction and his retrial is currently underway.

Const. Vernon North Okanagan RCMP officer Shaun Miranda was the first witness called.

A member since 2017 in Vernon, Miranda said she took the victim's call on Feb. 7, 2020, when she reported him to police.

He took her statement the next day, in which she alleged the incident took place the day before a hockey game in Kamloops.

The victim also testified Monday, explaining how she knew Chase since she played ringette when she was five or six years old and later hockey.

“I was very athletic and loved all sports,” she said.

His testimony, along with that of his father, continues during the trial, which is expected to last two to three days.

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