Canada

DA: Mom of Hockey Coach Accused of Child Rape Threatened Victim's Family

The mother of a Massachusetts hockey coach accused of child rape has been charged with sending a threatening message to the mother of one of her son's victims.

Louise Martino, 55, of Winthrop, was arraigned Monday in Lynn District Court on one count of witness intimidation, the Essex District Attorney's Office said. She pleaded not guilty and prosecutors did not request cash bail.

Her son, 31-year-old Christopher Prew of Marblehead, was arraigned last week on one count of aggravated rape of a child and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. A bail hearing is scheduled for Friday.

Prosecutors have said that there are ongoing investigations into allegations made by eight children. Most are from Essex County, though one is from Canada and was visiting Marblehead as part of an exchange program. The youngest child accusing Prew is 6 years old.

Prew is a private hockey coach and owner of Hot Shot Academy.

On the night of March 1, following Prew's initial court hearing, prosecutors said the mother of one of Prew's alleged victims received a threatening message from Martino via social media.

Marblehead police obtained a warrant for her arrest, and she turned herself in on Saturday afternoon.

Martino was ordered not to have any direct contact with the victims and their families, not to abuse alcohol and not to post anything derogatory about the victims and their families on social media.

She is represented by attorney Peter Marino. Attempts to reach him were not immediately successful.

Contact Us