Boys’ club soccer coach accused of abuse
COURT TOLD SUSPECT GAVE BOYS ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING
A FORMER football coach “abused his position” to pursue a sexual interest in young boys, a court heard.
John Marshall has been charged with 10 counts of indecent assault against four boys in the 1980s, who were all aged under 16 at the time.
At the start of his trial at Newcastle Crown Court, it was said the 71-yearold, of Elmsford Grove, Longbenton, managed a football team and allegedly carried out the offences in his van or at a venue where he gave one-to-one training sessions.
Prosecutor Lee Fish told the jury: “He coached mainly young boys, some of whom had no doubt dreamed of becoming professional footballers. He was trusted by their parents. “The reality was rather more sinister. “John Marshall abused his position to pursue his sexual interest in young boys. He was able to use his position to make sure he could isolate young players and sexually abuse them.
“The prosecution say that you will hear compelling evidence from four men who said that they were abused by John Marshall when they were boys playing for this football team.”
One man reported the alleged abuse to the NSPCC in 2016, while another told his partner about his previous experiences in 2011. A police investigation then followed.
Yesterday, a witness told the court how he started playing for the team when he was about 11 years old and said the abuse started taking place around a year later when Marshall would give him a lift home in his van or after training sessions when they were both alone.
He added: “He used to say I was a good footballer and if I wanted to get better he could help me. He offered to give me one-to-one coaching. “I was flattered. When you are 10, 11 years old and if someone is saying you are good at something, you take them at their word. “I thought it would be good for my development. I accepted the offer.” The man said on one occasion, when Marshall was giving him a lift home, the coach started asking if he had a girlfriend and further asked about sexual matters. He then encouraged the boy to carry out a sex act, the court heard. He said this became a regular occurrence and said that at least 10 incidents took place in a training room and at least 15 took place in a van following outdoor coaching sessions. He only reported the alleged abuse after he sought counselling as an adult and then told his parents. On being asked why he did not report the allegations earlier, he added: “Probably the guilt that was associated with it. To be honest, I thought I was the only one. With it being 15, 20, 30 years ago, I thought it would be difficult to prove. It would be my word against his.” Marshall, who will not be in court during his trial, was ruled unfit to plead to the offences on Friday. It was said he had “significant memory impairment”. The court heard Marshall had planned to deny all the allegations. The trial continues.
To be honest I thought I was the only one. With it being 15, 20, 30 years ago, I thought it would be difficult to prove