NEW CROSS GYMNASTICS COACH BOB BELLEW ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE SEXUAL ABUSE OF SEVEN GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the community of New Cross and the wider London area, Bob Bellew, a highly regarded gymnastics coach, has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting to a series of sexual abuse charges spanning over four decades. Despite his reputation as an esteemed figure in the sport, Bellew's actions have cast a dark shadow over his career and the trust placed in him by young girls and their families.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court, the 66-year-old was found guilty of abusing seven teenage girls, some as young as 13, during gymnastics classes, trips abroad, and private tutoring sessions. Bellew, who has authored books on gymnastics and served as a prominent figure in the planning of the London 2012 Olympics, was described as a man who had once been celebrated for his contributions to youth sports. His accolades included being named Community Coach of the Year and receiving the 'Order of the Smile,' a UN-recognized honor awarded to adults distinguished in their love, care, and aid of children.

However, beneath this veneer of respectability, Bellew engaged in a disturbing pattern of misconduct. The court heard that he had touched and groped young girls, aged between 13 and 15, over a period that stretched from September 1970 to December 2010. The abuse reportedly occurred during various settings, including international trips and local gymnastics classes in London. Specific allegations included Bellew placing his foot under a girl’s private parts, rubbing their thighs, and inappropriately touching their bottoms. He also admitted to offering help with injuries and then exploiting the trust placed in him to carry out these acts.

In addition to the abuse of young girls, Bellew was accused of touching the daughter of a friend after offering her private tutoring, and of stroking a girl’s thigh when she was invited to his home. The court also heard that he had assaulted two teenagers between 1998 and 2004 under the pretext of helping them perform routines, further illustrating the extent of his misconduct.

Despite the gravity of these allegations, Bellew’s legal team argued that he had shown 'genuine remorse' for his actions. The judge, Joanna Korner, acknowledged his remorse but emphasized that his conduct was serious. She stated that the offences were not part of a continuous course of conduct but were individual acts. The judge also noted that Bellew’s punishment had already begun through the damage to his reputation and the strain of the legal process. Consequently, she sentenced him to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years, and prohibited him from working with children in the future.

Victims and their families expressed outrage at the leniency of the sentence. In a joint statement read out in court, they criticized the justice system, saying, “This sentence says you are allowed to go into a primary school and touch young girls and you will not be punished for it. This shows everything that is wrong with the British justice system. He has had to live with this for two or three years, but the victims have had it hanging over them their whole lives.”

One of the victims, who had excelled in sport and found sanctuary in gymnastics, described how Bellew’s abuse destroyed her trust in authority figures. She explained that the trauma had affected her personal relationships and her marriage, highlighting the long-lasting impact of his actions. The prosecutor, Rekha Kodikara, detailed how the breach of trust had profound effects on the victims, especially noting that the offences would not have occurred but for Bellew’s position of authority as a coach.

Initially, Bellew had denied the allegations, but he changed his plea to guilty just two weeks before his trial, admitting to eight charges involving seven victims. Nine other charges were left on file. His lawyer, Barry Kogan, claimed that Bellew’s remorse was genuine and that he had difficulty coming to terms with his actions, often attempting to deny or minimize his conduct in probation reports. Nevertheless, the judge emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that Bellew’s reputation as a respected coach did not excuse his misconduct and that the impact on his victims was enduring.

In conclusion, this case underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability within youth sports and the devastating consequences when trust is betrayed by those in positions of authority. The community of New Cross and beyond will continue to grapple with the implications of Bellew’s actions, which have left a lasting scar on the lives of those he exploited.