Sarnia gymnastics coach cleared of sex-related charges

The former executive director of Bluewater Gymnastics was found not guilty last week of sexually assaulting one of his students.

The former executive director of Bluewater Gymnastics was found not guilty last week of sexually assaulting one of his students.

David Brubaker was charged in 2017 after a woman, now in her 30s, alleged he touched her inappropriately when she was an athlete under the age of 16.

Brubaker was director and head coach of Bluewater Gymnastics for 29 years, named a national team director with Gymnastics Canada in 2014, and coached at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Justice Deborah Austin found Brubaker not guilty of the charges in Sarnia Court and, according to news reports, criticized the Sarnia Police officer who investigated the case despite having family ties to the complainant.

Following the verdict, Gymnastics Canada issued a statement saying it would conduct its own investigation in accordance with its code of ethics and discipline policies.