An English athletics coach and former gold medallist, Leon Baptiste, who was reported missing, is serving a prison sentence in Morocco for sexually assaulting a minor.

Baptiste, who coached top British track athletes ahead of this summer's Commonwealth Games and European Championships, went off the grid over three months ago. In May, he sent a message to his athletes saying he would be absent from training "for a while" with no further explanation.

A source at the Moroccan Ministry of Justice confirmed that Baptiste, 41, was arrested in Marrakech in May, convicted, and is now serving an eight-month custodial sentence at Al-Oudaya prison. The original 10-month sentence was reduced on appeal. Moroccan authorities stated he was in good health and not subject to any disappearance.

His abrupt departure left British sprinters, including Olympic bronze medallist Charlie Dobson and Paralympic silver medallist Zac Shaw, without their designated coach during a crucial training period. Four-time European gold medallist Adam Gemili and relay coach Martyn Rooney stepped in to assist the affected athletes.

A UK Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed they are supporting the detained British national and are in contact with Moroccan authorities.