Ex-Edmonton Coach Gets 6-Year Sentence for 1970s Sexual Abuse

Disgraced Edmonton Track Coach Sentenced for Historical Sexual Offences

A former Edmonton track coach, Ken Porter, has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexual offences committed against teenage athletes nearly 50 years ago. The 77-year-old, whose legal name is Thomas Porter, was found guilty of sexually touching three underage members of the Edmonton Olympic track club in the late 1970s. At the time, the victims were between the ages of 14 and 16.

Porter had previously been convicted on historical charges of indecent assault and gross indecency. During the trial, Court of King’s Bench Justice Nicholas Devlin determined that Porter's actions involved both one-off incidents and repeated occurrences where he used track-side massages as a pretext for inappropriate touching. The judge noted that Porter employed grooming techniques, including showing young athletes pornography during a dinner party, to blur the boundaries between himself and the teenagers.

In court, Porter read a statement expressing regret and disappointment over the pain caused to the athletes he once trained. He acknowledged that his conduct exceeded what was appropriate in a coach-athlete relationship and emphasized that the impact on the victims was more significant than his intent.

Devlin pointed out that Porter still does not fully understand the wrongfulness of his actions, stating that there was a "somewhat distorted lens" in his perception. However, the judge made it clear that this does not excuse the sexual touching of children. Before being taken into custody, the judge urged Porter to reflect on the lasting impact of his offences on the young men he once cared for.

Crown Seeks Harsher Sentence, Defence Argues for Leniency

The Crown argued for a nine-year sentence, emphasizing the need to send a strong message about the seriousness of Porter’s actions. In contrast, the defence, represented by lawyer Solomon Friedman, requested a three-year sentence. They highlighted Porter’s age and health conditions, which could make his time in custody particularly difficult. Additionally, the defence presented character references from individuals who spoke positively about Porter, including former athletes who credited him with having a positive influence on their lives.

Friedman described Porter’s life since the time of the offences as "otherwise blameless," noting his academic achievements, contributions to Canada’s sports community, and humanitarian work with refugees in several African countries. Despite these accomplishments, Crown prosecutor Julie Snowdon stressed that Porter was aware of the wrongfulness of his actions but failed to stop them.

Impact on Victims

Two of the victims’ identities are protected by a publication ban, but Chris Dallin, the original complainant, successfully applied to have his name lifted. Dallin shared a victim impact statement detailing how Porter’s actions have affected his life. He described how the betrayal led to abandoning running and struggling with binge drinking, depression, and shame. Dallin emphasized that the violation of trust profoundly altered his worldview.

Another victim shared similar sentiments, stating that Porter used his admiration for his training expertise to manipulate and abuse the trust of the athletes. The Crown argued that a nine-year sentence was necessary to denounce such behavior, while the defence maintained that Porter’s past contributions and current circumstances warranted a shorter sentence.

Legacy and Consequences

In 2019, an independent investigation into complaints of sexual misconduct led to Porter being fired as chair of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club and receiving a lifetime ban from Athletics Canada. Devlin concluded that Porter must reconcile how his infatuation with Dallin constituted "sexual violence against a child."

The judge also highlighted the formative ages of the victims, noting that the impact of such behavior could be deeply damaging. Dallin ended his statement by emphasizing the importance of speaking the truth about his experiences, saying it helped reclaim some of what he lost as a child.

"I hope you can get the help you need," Dallin said, addressing Porter directly.