Police say more potential victims have come forward following the arrest of Harry Sadd, a Victoria man accused of sexually assaulting a young boy nearly 40 years ago.
Investigators announced Wednesday they had arrested Sadd, a 70-year-old former youth badminton coach, over allegations he sexually abused a boy in Esquimalt multiple times from 1978 to 1983.
Sadd now faces three counts of indecent assault on a male and one count of sexual assault and has been released from custody until his Sept. 8 court appearance.
Police appealed for more potential victims to come forward, and on Thursday Special Victims Unit investigator Sgt. Kristi Ross confirmed they’ve received multiple phone calls in the case.
“People who’ve known Mr. Sadd in the past, we’ve had some alleged victims come forward but of course none of that is confirmed yet,” said Ross. “From the information that I’ve gotten from them, I’m very confident that we’re going to reveal that likely, there’ll be more charges coming.”
She said some of the people who’ve contacted police are former badminton players who may have been taught by Sadd.
Ross also confirmed that Sadd’s position as a badminton coach allowed for one-on-one time with his players.
“My understanding at this point is there were road trips, I believe, for tournaments he may have gone on with kids,” said Ross. “I understand a lot of kids were billeted out so likely the access would’ve been limited, but the coaching, I believe, there would be group and some individual.”
The alleged victim, who no longer lives on Vancouver Island, told police the assaults began when he was just nine years old.
Ross said he has wrestled with coming forward his whole life.
“He’s been really strong, he feels good about what’s been reported and he feels confident moving forward,” she said. “A big weight’s off his shoulders, he told me, which is really encouraging to hear.”
She said investigators have fielded phone calls from people outside of Victoria who have said they are either victims or have information about Sadd.
Neighbours of Sadd’s Victoria home told CTV News they were shocked to hear of his arrest and said since the news broke, he has shaved off his distinctive white beard.
Anyone who has information about the case is asked to call Victoria Police at 250-995-7654 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Men who may have been victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the Men’s Trauma Centre at 250-381-6367.
