By David Kirton

Nipawin mayor reacts to sex assault charges against hockey coach

Dec 5, 2014 | 2:46 PM

A foster parent and hockey coach in Nipawin now charged with sexual assault may face more allegations than those brought forward by two men earlier this year.

The RCMP say 74-year-old Thomas Donald Mark was involved in community activities in Nipawin and served as a foster parent and hockey coach, which is why officers believe there could potentially be more victims.

Mark was arrested at his home in Codette on Nov. 23. The charges he faces were laid under the 1987 and 1997 Criminal Code. His first court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 17.

A photo of Mark taken around the time of the alleged crimes was released by RCMP “to assist potential victims and witnesses in recalling memory.”

Mark also did maintenance at the rink in Nipawin, which is where one of the men first met him. One of them men came forward to RCMP in August while the other did so in October.

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The mayor of Nipawin, David Trann says the community is very surprised by the news.

He told paNOW that Mark was very well known in the community.

“He was coaching in our minor hockey association back in the ’80s and he was part of our minor hockey association as a coach,” said Trann.

Trann said Mark has not worked at the arena since the 1980s. Mark has most recently worked for a private contractor doing upgrades to the community rink.

“It’s a very unfortunate incident and of course everyone is concerned for the people that were allegedly assaulted,” said Trann.

Trann added that this incident should not reflect on the town’s current coaches. He said all the coaches are subject to criminal record checks and go through extensive training programs

Anyone who may have information is asked to contact the Nipawin RCMP at 306-862-6270. Anyone with information wishing to remain anonymous is asked to contact Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through SaskTel at *8477, or by submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com

– with files from paNOW

news@panow.com

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