WRIST SLAP IN ‘SPANK’ (Coach dodges jail)

Drew Sanders, a 49 year old former Staten Island high school basketball coach,  accused of spanking his players for missing shots admitted on September 15 that he crossed the foul line.  The former Tottenville HS assistant varsity boys coach allegedly made at least three of his players, two 15 year olds and one 16 year old, pull down their shorts and underwear, then whacked them, sometimes with a wooden ping-pong paddle.  He pleaded guilty to three counts of forcible touching, a misdemeanor that requires him to register as a sex offender.  With the plea bargain, he avoids prison and will be sentenced to six years' probation.

On November 28, Sanders was sentenced to the six years probation.  He will have to register as a level-three sex offender, the state's most severe classification, meaning authorities believe he is highly likely to reoffend.  He is barred from entering day-care centers or schools with students younger than 18.

(New York)