A football coach has been jailed for a training ground sex assault
03 October 2012
A former football coach who ran training sessions in Sydenham and Penge has been jailed for two years for the sexual assault of a teenage boy and placed on the Sexual Offenders Register for 10 years.
Marlon Barnes, 41 (11.8.71), of Dartmouth Road, SE26, was sentenced at the Old Bailey following a successful investigation by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse Investigation Command based in Sidcup.
The court heard how the victim had attended a training session run by Barnes on 30 March at the Alexandra Recreation Ground in Penge. He had sustained a groin injury during training and had been left behind at the end of the session.
Barnes used the injury as an excuse to sexually assault him on the football pitch. The boy told his mother who reported it to police that night. Barnes was arrested at his home address on 2 April and charged on 7 April.
Barnes, who had been previously banned in 2007 from coaching, was found guilty of the offence on 16 August. Sentencing took place on Friday, 28 September.
Detective Constable Ivan Rydqvist of the Child Abuse Investigation Command said: "Marlon Barnes is a sexual predator who deliberately set about targeting youngsters and engaging them in football training sessions with a view to sexually exploiting them. I believe he may have committed other, similar offences and would urge anyone who believes that they may have been a victim to have the confidence to report the incident to the police. We are here to support and protect you."
The Child Abuse Investigation Team can be contacted on 020 7230 3242. Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, childline on 0800 1111, report the matter to your local police station, or inform a teacher or a trusted individual. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
- Marlon Barnes