Former Alpine Canada coach Bertrand Charest denied bail

SAINT-JEROME, Que. — Former Alpine Canada ski coach Bertrand Charest has been denied bail on charges of sexually assaulting young girls.

A judge handed down the decision in a Quebec courtroom this afternoon.

The 49-year-old Charest is facing a total of 56 charges involving 11 alleged victims.

Charest was arraigned last week on charges including sexual assault and breach of trust involving females between the ages of 12 and 19 between 1991 and 1998.

The Crown says one of the elements the judge took into account in denying bail was the need to maintain the public’s faith in the judicial system.

Another element was the safety of witnesses, the alleged victims and others involved in the matter.