Sydenham 'sexual predator' football coach jailed (From News Shopper)

Sydenham 'sexual predator' football coach jailed

10:52am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in Bromley By Heloise Wood

Football coach Marlon Barnes

A “SEXUAL predator” football coach who worked in Sydenham and Penge has been jailed for two years for assaulting a teenager.

Police are now concerned Marlon Barnes, of Dartmouth Road, Sydenham, may have committed similar crimes in the past.

The Old Bailey heard how the victim, a 16-year old boy, attended a training session run by Barnes, aged 41, on March 30 at the Alexandra recreation ground, off Alexandra Road, Penge.

The youngster hurt his groin during training and stayed behind at the end of the session.

Barnes then 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, who was arrested at his home on April 2 and charged on April 7, had been previously banned from coaching by the Football Association in 2007.

He was found guilty of sexual assault on August 16 and was sentenced at the Old Bailey on September 28.

As well being jailed, Barnes was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

Detective Constable Ivan Rydqvist, of the Met’s 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 or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Childline on 0800 1111.