Australian soccer coach Sebastian Bechaud jailed for ‘appalling’ rape of woman he met on a dating app
- Worked as goalkeeping coach in the Melbourne win
- Was sentenced to 20 months in prison
- Will likely be deported if released
Former Melbourne Victory women’s goalkeeper coach Sebastian Bechaud has been sentenced to prison for the “horrendous” rape of a woman he met on a dating app.
The French-born former professional footballer and male model was seen crying continuously in the Victorian County Court as he was sentenced to four years in prison on Friday morning.
Bechaud, 35, was found guilty of raping the woman in his West Melbourne apartment on March 10, 2021, during the trial earlier this year.
Passing sentence, Judge Liz Gaynor said Bechaud had first met the woman on Hinge in October 2020 before they started messaging regularly on WhatsApp.
They first met in February the following year, having consensual sex four times, including experimenting with blindfolds after he shared his sexual fantasies.
Former Melbourne Victory women’s goalkeeping coach Sebastian Bechaud is likely to be deported after his sentence ends
But, Judge Gaynor said, what started as a consensual sexual encounter on March 10 developed into a “horrendous” act of sexual abuse when Bechaud ignored the woman’s cries for him to stop.
He started to get rougher, pressing her neck against the bed and spitting in her mouth as she protested and tried to get away.
“She was screaming that you were hurting her,” Judge Gaynor said.
‘Despite the complainant’s significant and persistent complaints, you persisted… I am satisfied that you placed your sexual gratification above the complainant’s well-being.’
The court was told Bechaud messaged the woman three days later saying: “I think we’re done.”
She responded that he had hurt her and then continued when she didn’t want to, “So yeah, we’re done.”
“I tried to stop you and leave, but you’re too strong… I literally screamed, stop,” she said.
The former Victory coach broke down in tears as he was sentenced for the woman’s rape
He was fired from his role at Melbourne Victory after the allegations came to light
Bechaud responded by saying “like it was that bad” and claimed he was “testing” her.
“If you open your legs to me, that’s consent. You haven’t said anything for a long time,” he wrote.
“It only lasted a few minutes, that’s rough sex with a strong man babe.”
Judge Gaynor said it was clear from the contents of the woman’s victim impact statement to the court that the crime had a ‘significant and damaging effect’.
“She remains traumatized by the experience of being physically powerless for a period of time,” the judge said.
The court was told Bechaud had moved to Australia to start a new life after an arm injury ended his professional career as a goalkeeper in France and he became disillusioned with modeling in overseas countries.
Until he was sacked in March 2023, Bechaud had spent much of his time in Australia as a football coach, working his way up to head goalkeeping coach of the Melbourne Victory Women’s team.
Judge Gaynor said he had led a successful life up until this offense and noted she would be ‘extremely surprised’ if Bechaud ever appeared in court again.
Bechaud was sentenced in the Victorian County Court on Friday
But she discovered he had treated the woman like an object and was unaware of the damage he was causing.
“You are unfortunately forced to learn a lesson in the most serious of terms,” she said.
‘Simply establishing that a woman consents is not enough.
‘Anyone who engages in sexual activity is obliged to safeguard the position of their partner and to continue consent.’
Judge Gaynor noted that there were some in the community who did not believe that sex after consent has been withdrawn should be considered rape, but said “this case makes very clear why such legislation is necessary.”
“For someone who has professionally committed to being such an advocate for women in sports, this is not only unacceptable, but appalling,” she said.
‘Rape is a very harmful crime with serious and long-lasting consequences.
“This sentence should stop men from treating women as sexual objects put on this earth for their pleasure.”
Bechaud will be eligible for parole after 20 months in prison and will likely be deported upon release.