In a shocking turn of events, a former Melbourne Victory women’s coach, Sebastien Bechaud, has been sentenced to four years in prison for raping a woman he met on the dating app Hinge. The 35-year-old French-born goalkeeper coach, who appeared via video link from prison, was found guilty of the heinous act committed in early 2021.
According to court testimony, Bechaud flipped the woman on his bed and proceeded to rape her despite her screams for him to stop. In a disturbing display of aggression, he spat in her mouth and continued the assault, even slapping her when she tried to escape and commanding her to “stop moving”.
Judge Condemns Bechaud’s Actions
Judge Liz Gaynor did not mince words as she handed down the sentence, expressing her disgust at Bechaud’s behavior. She stated, “For a person who has purported professionally to be such a supporter of women in the sporting field this is, apart from not being acceptable, it is appalling.” The judge emphasized that Bechaud had treated the woman as a mere object, remaining oblivious to the immense damage he was inflicting upon her.
Victim’s Harrowing Testimony
The court heard disturbing details of the events leading up to the rape, including Bechaud and the woman engaging in consensual sex in a public toilet and “experimental blindfolding” as he shared his sexual fantasies with her. However, consent was clearly revoked during the subsequent encounter that led to the conviction.
In a series of WhatsApp messages read aloud in court, the victim confronted Bechaud about his actions:
You hurt me. I didn’t want to continue having sex. I was screaming stop but you kept going. My neck’s still sore and I didn’t like you spitting in my mouth. So yes I think we’re done.
Bechaud’s response was to suggest he was merely “testing” her, dismissing the incident as “rough sex” and claiming she had consented. The victim firmly rebuked this, stating, “when I stay stop, that’s no longer consent,” to which Bechaud callously replied, “[it was] only a few minutes c’mon”.
Devastating Impact on the Victim
The woman bravely shared the profound impact the rape has had on her life, stating that she has lost her sense of liberty and that the trauma has affected her interactions with men, including her current partner. She revealed that even during disagreements, she instinctively curls up in a ball to protect herself physically, despite not being threatened. This unconscious response is a direct result of the assault she endured at the hands of Bechaud.
From “Dream Job” to Disgrace
Bechaud’s fall from grace is particularly stark given his promising career trajectory. He relocated to Australia in 2015 after an arm injury ended his football career at age 22. In 2019, he landed his “dream job” at Victory and was promoted to head goalkeeping coach of the women’s team in 2020. However, the club swiftly terminated his employment in March 2023 once the rape charges came to light.
Deportation Looms
With a non-parole period of 20 months and his visa status now in jeopardy, it appears almost certain that Bechaud will be deported back to France upon his release from prison. He has already served 80 days in custody.
This disturbing case serves as a stark reminder that sexual assault can occur in any setting, perpetrated by individuals in positions of trust and authority. It is a testament to the courage of the victim in coming forward and the diligence of the justice system in holding the offender accountable. As Bechaud faces the consequences of his actions, the sporting community and society at large must continue to stand with survivors and work tirelessly to prevent such atrocities from occurring in the future.
