Fairfield Sexual Assault Victim Confronts Former Westport Swim Coach Before His Sentencing

One of the Fairfield girls sexually assaulted by former Staples-Westport swim coach, and Fairfield resident, Jeffrey Schare spoke before he was sentenced to eight years in prison on Friday, according to the Connecticut Post.

The girl, now 14 years old, spoke from the prosecutor’s table while Schare, 44, looked off in the opposite direction, according to the Post.

“I feel an intense dislike for you,” the girl told Schare, according to the Post. “I’m stronger now. I don’t live in fear of you anymore. When I told my mom, I did the right thing. I hope you have a difficult time in prison.”

Schare began assaulting the girl and her sister, now 10, when they were much younger promising them favors such as food and sleepovers in exchange for his behavior, the Post reports.

Schare was coach of the Wreckers boys swimming and diving team for seven years and taught math at Staples High School. The two girls are acquainted with Schare and attend school in Fairfield.

Schare pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of risk of injury to a minor and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault.

In addition to the eight years in prison, Schare’s sentence is followed by 10 years of special parole and he was ordered to register as a sex offender and stay away from children, according to the Post.

Read the full story, including additional statements from the victims’ family and Schare, at the Connecticut Post here.

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