Aussie Coach Ordered to Stand Trial
BRISBANE, July 25. AUSTRALIAN Olympic swimming coach Scott Volkers must stand trial on seven counts of indecent behaviur towards girls under the age of 16, a court ruled today.
Volkers, 43, pleaded not guilty to the seven charges of "indecent dealing" in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, according to local news reports.
The charges were brought by three girls Volkers coached in the 1980s. Two other charges were dropped when prosecutors agreed there was no case to answer.
In a closed hearing today, Magistrate Kenneth Taylor heard evidence from the three complainants, now in their 30s, before ordering Volkers to stand trial in Brisbane District Court at a date to be fixed.
Volkers, a father of two, coached some of Australia's top swimmers including Olympic and world champion Susan O'Neill, and world champion Samantha Riley. He has been suspended from his position at the Queensland Academy of Sport pending the outcome of the court case.
Volkers is out on bail, on the condition that he not contact the complainants.