A Vernon businessman and former hockey coach has had a date set for his appeal of a sexual assault conviction against a minor.
Keith Chase, owner of Chasers Bottle Depot in Vernon, was found guilty in March 2022 of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl who was playing for a hockey team he coached. The alleged assault took place in 2004 in Chase’s home the night before a game.
Chase was sentenced to 23 months jail in BC Supreme Court on Oct. 28, 2022. He filed an appeal of that sentence on the same day and was granted bail a few days later.
Chase’s appeal will now be heard by the BC Court of Appeal in Vancouver on Oct. 20, confirms the BC Prosecution Service.
Chase is appealing for the conviction to be quashed and a new trial ordered.
He is arguing the trial judge erred by failing to give proper effect to inconsistencies between the complainant’s police statement and her trial testimony.
READ MORE: Former Vernon hockey coach appeals sex assault conviction, released on bail
READ MORE: Nearly 2 years jail for former Vernon hockey coach who sexually assaulted teen