EXETER FOOTBALL COACH ANTHONY MITCHELL SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN EXETER AND DAWLISH WARREN
Anthony Mitchell, a former youth football coach based in Exeter, has been convicted and sentenced to 21 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young boys under his care.The crimes, which spanned over several decades, came to light after victims courageously came forward, revealing a pattern of systematic grooming and assault that had remained hidden for years.
Mitchell, who took charge of a youth football team in Exeter during the 1960s and 1970s, exploited his position of trust to prey on vulnerable boys aged 11 and 12.
He used overnight trips to Dawlish Warren, where he owned a converted ambulance, as opportunities to carry out his abuse.
During these trips, he would persuade the boys to sleep with him in his vehicle, claiming it was a privilege, and then drug them with large doses of Mogadon, a potent sleeping pill he obtained through his general practitioner.
Victims recall being given double doses of the medication in their bedtime drinks, which rendered them vulnerable to his assault.
Mitchell, who was working night shifts at a newspaper distribution depot at the time, believed he could evade justice.
However, the resurgence of the Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris scandals prompted some victims to break their silence and report their experiences to the police.
Their testimonies revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse, including incidents where Mitchell would touch the boys as they fell asleep or woke up, and in one particularly horrifying account, a boy woke to find himself naked and bent over a table with Mitchell behind him, holding a syringe.
These accounts painted a picture of calculated grooming, abuse, and betrayal of trust.
In 1980, Mitchell was first convicted after four boys reported similar incidents, leading to a one-year jail sentence for drugging and assaulting two of them.
Despite this, he continued to coach and work with young people, including teenagers, well into his 70s.
His continued involvement in coaching raised alarm when one of his victims, shocked to see him working with young players again, contacted the police to report his past crimes.
During the recent trial at Exeter Crown Court, Mitchell, now aged 78 and residing on Foxhayes Road in Exeter, denied two counts of serious sexual offences, which would now be classified as male rape, as well as assault with intent to commit a similar offence and three indecent assaults.
The court heard harrowing testimonies from his victims, who displayed remarkable bravery in recounting their experiences.
The judge, Mr.
Ignatius Hughes, QC, condemned Mitchell’s actions, stating, “You caused severe psychological harm.
These men had their childhoods pretty much destroyed by you.
You have shown disdain for their truthful accounts of what you did.” The judge emphasized the systematic nature of Mitchell’s abuse, highlighting the grooming, planning, and abuse of trust involved.
He described one victim’s ordeal as “nothing short of a horror,” recalling how the boy woke to find himself in a trance-like state, naked, and bent over a makeshift massage table in Mitchell’s van.
The court also imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to prevent Mitchell from having further contact with children.
Mitchell’s health was also a concern during sentencing, as it was revealed he is undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer.
The court acknowledged that his ongoing medical treatment might result in him spending the remainder of his life in custody.
His defense attorney, Mr.
Lee Bremridge, argued that Mitchell had been receiving experimental treatment over the past year, which would not be available if he were imprisoned.
The investigation was led by Detective Constable Mark Uren, who praised the victims for their courage in coming forward after so many years.
Uren expressed hope that the court’s decision would help bring closure to those affected and allow them to begin healing from their traumatic experiences.
The case prompted a review of safeguarding procedures within Exeter’s football community, although Mitchell was able to return to coaching at a senior level, where he still had access to teenage boys.
Police confirmed that no complaints had been made about his conduct in this later role.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance and safeguarding in youth sports and highlights the devastating impact of abuse hidden behind seemingly innocent facades.
The community of Exeter now grapples with the aftermath of these revelations, and the victims’ bravery serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance and support for survivors of childhood abuse.
