Day one of a two-day preliminary inquiry into the case of sexual interference by a Chilliwack youth coach began Thursday in provincial court in Chilliwack.
A standard publication ban is in place on the details of the preliminary inquiry, which is held in provincial court in advance of a BC Supreme Court Trial.
Codie Alain Anderson – known as Codie Hindle to most in the community – is charged with the 2010 sexual interference of a boy who was 10 or 11 at the time. That witness is now 19 and was in court Thursday along with family members for support.
Hindle was in attendance with his lawyer Martin Finch.
The 35-year-old Hindle was involved in youth sports in the community for many years coaching basketball at G.W. Graham and with the Chilliwack Sports Academy that put on the Steve Nash Youth Basketball. Sources say he was a constant presence at the Cheam Centre, run then by the YMCA.
Hindle was also involved in running an evening drop-in event for kids called “Freakout Fridays” where youth came for supervised play in the gym and the pool for two hours. And he also ran a program that included a one-night campout.
The mother of another alleged victim told The Progress earlier this year that it was sleeping over in the tent with Hindle when her 11-year-old son was sexually touched.
“I can only imagine how many victims are out there,” she said.
After the charge against the 35-year-old Hindle was laid in February of this year, Chilliwack RCMP said there may be other victims.
“We are mindful that there may be other victims who have not reported to police, we encourage you to talk to your children about any contact they may have had with Mr. Hindle,” said Chilliwack RCMP Staff Sgt. Darren Stevely.
The victim of the charge that is going ahead now, also spoke to the newspaper urging others to come forward.
In early 2016, aged 17, he went to police with the story of what he says happened to him in May 2010 when he was just 11.
“My opinion is there are more people,” the now 19-year-old said. “Someone like that just doesn’t stop randomly.”
As for Hindle, he apparently works as an events co-ordinator and coach at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU). When asked back in March if he was still employed or on leave, a spokesperson for the school declined to to respond citing “privacy laws.”
As of Oct. 4, his photo is still on the KPU website.
After the two-day preliminary inquiry Hindle will face a trial by jury in BC Supreme Court.
• READ MORE: Third alleged victim of sexual touching by Chilliwack youth coach speaks out
• READ MORE: Alleged victim of sexual interference by Chilliwack youth coach speaks out
@PeeJayAitch
paul.henderson@theprogress.com
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