Three British former athletes and two other men have been convicted in Morocco in connection with the case of Leon Baptiste, a former England sprinter and UK Athletics coach who is serving a prison sentence for sexually assaulting a minor. The convictions add further detail to an investigation that initially drew attention after Baptiste was wrongly reported by some outlets as missing, and raise questions about the group’s knowledge of events during a holiday in Marrakech.

Baptiste, 41, received an eight-month sentence on appeal after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. Will Sharman, Richard Sharman, Lamin Deen, Ashley O’Leary Jones and David Tuck received suspended four-month sentences and fines of 500 dirhams, about £40, for participating in the enticement of a minor; they were acquitted of inciting prostitution. Through lawyers, the five men said they had not been arrested, believed they had paid an administrative fine, did not know the girl’s age, and reject knowingly engaging in improper conduct.