COLIN FORD, DONCASTER FOOTBALL COACH, RECEIVES SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR CHILD CRUELTY

In September 2017, a Doncaster-based football coach named Colin Ford was convicted of cruelty against a minor under the age of 16 and received a suspended prison sentence.

During a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on that afternoon, Recorder Richard Wright QC sentenced 55-year-old Colin Ford, of Tenter Lane, Warmsworth, to two years in prison, suspended for two years. Additionally, Ford was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work.

Ford was found guilty of one charge of cruelty to a person under 16, relating to acts committed between March 31, 1990, and March 31, 1997. The conviction followed a three-day trial concluded on June 15 of that year. The court also acquitted him of two other charges: inflicting grievous bodily harm and indecent assault on a male.

All charges were based on allegations from the same individual. In his remarks during the trial, Recorder Wright stated that Ford ‘regularly assaulted’ his victim using his hands and, ‘on occasion, with a belt buckle to beat him.’

The prosecutor, Paul O'Shea, told the court that the victim had provided a victim personal statement describing the profound impact of the abuse on his life both as a child and as an adult. Mr. O'Shea explained, ‘He says the effect of that childhood experience has been immeasurable. Throughout his life he has been plagued by depression and anxiety.’ He added, ‘He’s never really been in a relationship with anyone because of various issues.’

Although the court acknowledged that Ford’s conduct had ‘crossed the custody threshold,’ Recorder Wright decided to suspend the sentence. He explained that this decision was influenced by Ford’s behavior following the incidents, saying, ‘You’ve not offended, you’ve worked hard and you have made positive contributions in your community. Those are the factors that persuade me that I can suspend the sentence.’