The identity of a former elite swimming coach can now be revealed after it was proven he perpetrated dozens of horrific sexual assaults on six young athletes who trained under him in the 1970s and ‘80s.
Richard ‘Dick’ Caine, now aged in his late 70s, was on Wednesday found to have committed 39 acts, 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, as well as at Caine’s home and in his car, with the victims ranging in age from 10 to 16 years.
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The full details of the case can be 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.
Caine, who once trained a number of champion swimmers, is now in palliative care.
Due to his health 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.
Judge McGuire found the coach had an interest in pre-pubescent and pubescent girls and acted on that interest, including raping a girl as young as 10 years old.
The court heard one of the victims held genuine Olympic and Commonwealth Games aspirations that had been dashed due to Caine’s conduct.
One of the victims told the court she was a virgin when she was raped by Caine, and had in fact never even been kissed by a boy.
A number of the victims gave evidence they were scared of Caine because of his authority and coaching style.
Multiple victims reported the presence of pornography and alcohol at the coach’s home and reported seeing the accused’s horse, which prosecutors argued gave credence to their claims.
One of the victims gave a graphic account of having her hands tied, while afterwards they remembered seeing a used condom next to the bed.
Prosecutors submitted the victim’s account was “so detailed and so compelling” that it must be true.
Lawyers for Caine argued the evidence related to incidents that took place about 50 years ago and was unreliable.
But Judge McGuire found all of the victims’ evidence to be honest and reliable, including them willingly making concessions about details they could not remember exactly.
He noted one gave compelling evidence that “she would not be putting herself, her husband and her family through this if what she was saying was a lie”.
Judge McGuire rejected an eleventh hour bid by Caine’s lawyers to protect his identity after a non-publication order automatically lifted with the verdicts being handed down.
A request to retain the order while Caine was notified of the outcome prior to seeing it in the media drew little sympathy, with the judge telling his lawyers to pick up the phone or jump in a taxi.
The matter will return to court on December 6 to determine a penalty.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
