Ex-Posh coach accused of child sex offences

Michael ‘Kit’ Carson charged with 12 offences relating to sexual abuse of boys

A former Peterborough United coach will appear in court after he was charged in connection with historic sexual offences against children. Michael Carson - better known as ‘Kit’ throughout his career - of St Bartholomew’s Court, Riverside, Cambridge was charged with a total of 12 offences on Friday when he answered police bail.

The 74-year-old had been arrested in connection with the allegations last year following a police investigation.

Carson was the Peterborough United Academy Director for eight years, holding the post at London Road between 1993 and 2001.

He also worked for other football clubs in the east of England, including Cambridge United and Norwich City.

Carson has been charged with 11 counts of indecent assault, and one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The offences are alleged to have happened between 1978 and 2009 and involve 11 victims, all boys under the age of 16.

Cambridgeshire police said the alleged offences are claimed to have mainly taken place in Cambridgeshire, with some outside the county, but the force has not said whether any of the alleged offences are connected to his time at London Road.

Carson has now been released on conditional bail to attend a hearing at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 17.

The NSPCC has set up a helpline specifically for people to report concerns around football-based sexual abuse. People can raise concerns by calling the number on 0800 0232642.

In separate proceedings another former Peterborough United coach, Bob Higgins, has pleaded not guilty to a number of charges relating to historical abuse and will stand trial .

Higgins (64) faces 50 charges, including carrying out indecent assaults on 24 boys aged under 18 between 1970 and 1996.

Higgins was youth team manager at Peterborough United from May 1995 to April 1996 when he left by mutual consent.

Michael ‘Kit’ Carson