DAVID PROSSER FROM TROWBRIDGE SENTENCED IN LONDON FOR PREDATORY SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN

In July 2023, a disturbing case of sexual abuse involving David Prosser, a kickboxing coach from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, reached a tragic conclusion as he was sentenced to an additional four years in prison for heinous offences committed against minors. Prosser, aged 64, was already serving a lengthy sentence of 24 and a half years following previous convictions in 1997, 2009, and 2019 related to grooming and abusing his students. The recent sentencing took place at Isleworth Crown Court in London, where he was found guilty of abusing five boys under the age of 16 during the period from 1989 to 1996.

Throughout the proceedings, a representative from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) commended the victims for their remarkable courage and resilience, highlighting their bravery in coming forward to share their traumatic experiences. Prosser’s criminal activities spanned over a decade, primarily while he resided in London, although he was originally from Trowbridge. Most of his victims were targeted after attending his makeshift clubs, which he operated in various venues such as pubs, community centers, and schools. These clubs served as the initial point of contact, where Prosser would identify potential victims, praise their skills, and then lure them into private sessions at his home.

During these private meetings, Prosser would groom the children by offering alcohol, cash, cigarettes, drugs, and gifts, creating an environment of manipulation and control before subjecting them to sexual abuse. The five victims involved in this recent case were all students at his club, and their testimonies played a crucial role in securing his conviction. Prosser pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including indecent assault on a male, indecency with a child, and counts of gross indecency with boys under 14 and under 16, which resulted in the additional four-year sentence.

In a separate, earlier case in September 2009, Prosser was sentenced to 21 years in prison after being convicted of abusing 21 children, comprising 20 boys and one girl aged between nine and 13. His crimes spanned over 20 years, with the first incident occurring in Trowbridge, but he was not arrested until May 2 of the previous year, following a brave complaint from one of his victims. During that trial, Prosser was charged with 51 counts, including rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault, and was described by Judge Jonathan Lowen as a predatory paedophile who exploited the trust placed in him as a martial arts instructor.

The judge emphasized that Prosser’s actions were not those of a genuine educator but of a manipulative predator who used his role to gain access to vulnerable children. The court heard harrowing accounts from victims who described how Prosser used drugs and alcohol to facilitate his abuse, often following them to school or other locations to intimidate and threaten them into silence. One victim, who was just 12 or 13 at the time, recounted how Prosser even followed him to school to ensure he did not disclose the abuse, and another victim described being bribed with a PlayStation in exchange for sex.

The police investigation revealed that Prosser’s grooming tactics involved flattering the children, convincing them that additional private lessons would improve their skills, and then exploiting their trust. Many victims reported that Prosser used alcohol, cigarettes, and cash to manipulate them, often targeting their naivety and immaturity. He was arrested in Trowbridge on May 2, 2008, after a victim from Greater London came forward, revealing abuse from a decade earlier.

Some victims have suffered long-lasting psychological effects, including schizophrenia, self-harm, substance abuse, and violent behavior, as a result of the trauma inflicted by Prosser. One victim expressed that he felt so disgusted and devastated that he wanted to die after being raped by him. Others have reported hearing voices and experiencing mental health issues, with some being institutionalized. Prosecutor Ian McLoughlin described how Prosser’s manipulative tactics extended to gaining the trust of parents, allowing him to isolate children for his own sexual gratification.

Despite previous legal proceedings, Prosser’s earlier trial in 1997, which involved the sexual assault of two boys from Wiltshire, ended with a not guilty verdict, allowing him to continue his predatory behavior for years afterward. The impact on his victims has been profound and enduring, affecting their lives well into adulthood. The court sentenced him to a total of 51 counts of sexual assault involving 21 victims, with the judge condemning his use of martial arts and fishing as cover for his exploitation. The judge stated that Prosser’s true purpose was to satisfy his sexual desires at the expense of the innocence of his victims, grooming them over a span of two decades and leaving scars that many victims carry for life.

Senior investigating officer Mark Roope expressed confidence that many more victims remain unidentified, emphasizing the importance of continued police efforts. He stated, “There are certainly a lot more victims out there. Some of them I have spoken to and some of them I haven’t. The sentence he was given is reflective and is no more than the victims deserve. I am delighted with 21 years because in effect it is going to protect any other people from him.”