Instead he was handed 400 hours of community service, the LETA news agency reported on October 16.
The coach had earlier admitted his guilt and entered into a plea deal.
Without naming the person, the prosecutor's office previously confirmed to LETA that one criminal offense had been charged under the Criminal Law article on sexual activities with a person under the age of 16. Three offenses were charged under the Criminal Law article on seduction.
The State Police stated in a press release that the criminal proceedings were initiated on April 21, 2023 on the basis of a complaint by the victim that between 2014 and 2015, the sports trainer with whom she was training at the time had performed sexual acts on her, knowing that she was under 16 years of age.
During the criminal proceedings, it was established that until the victim turned 16, the two had a "consensual" sexual relationship, which the victim concealed from her parents and friends. Several years later, when the victim had reached the age of majority, the relationship "escalated into a marriage" which broke up shortly after.
The investigation also did not reveal any information that the suspect had had sexual relations with other minors.
The portal "Delfi" previously reported that several irregularities had been recorded in the work of coach Steļmahs, including emotional abuse of female students, seduction and the use of alcohol during the work process.
Earlier, Steļmahs was temporarily suspended from his job at the Jūrmala Sports School, but he later returned to work and coached 16 to 18-year-old basketball players.
According to information published on the website of the Latvian Council of Sports Federations (LSFP), Steļmahs, who held a valid category B basketball coaching certificate until April 23, 2025, is no longer included in the list of certified sports specialists.
