EX-PETERBOROUGH UNITED FOUNDATION COACH CALLUM AVENT IN COURT
A man responsible for creating indecent images of children has been identified as a coach working for the charity division of a Cambridgeshire football club.On May 20, he appeared before Lincoln Crown Court and pleaded guilty to five charges.
The charges included three counts of producing indecent images of a child and one count of sharing an indecent image of a child.
Between July 29, 2020, and January 10, 2024, Avent produced a total of 12 still images and 37 videos of children across categories A, B, and C.
He also shared an indecent image classified as category A and obstructed justice.
The club confirmed that Avent was employed within its community department, the Peterborough United Foundation.
His career at the club began as an apprentice, progressing to roles as a community coach and later as a scholarship coach.
Avent secured his first position at Peterborough United after completing a National Citizen Service course he started in 2013.
The club’s website states that he managed the Foundation’s Boys Scholarship B Team, which includes players aged 16 to 19.
Peterborough United first became aware of Avent on November 29, 2023, after a referral from Lincolnshire Police.
The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for Peterborough promptly informed The English Football League.
The following day, the Football Association (FA) was notified, and a LADO meeting involving the Foundation and FA took place.
Avent was suspended by the Foundation on December 4 while investigations continued, and he cooperated fully with law enforcement.
A spokesperson explained, “When evidence was discovered, and after obtaining employment guidance, he was immediately dismissed.
Safeguarding protocols were strictly adhered to throughout the process.” Avent is required to register with the police under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 until the case is resolved.
He was placed on conditional bail to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared, with his next court appearance scheduled for July 2 at Lincoln Crown Court.
His bail conditions prohibit any unsupervised contact with anyone under 18.
