DEREK HINCHLIFFE OF OSSETT SENTENCED FOR ABUSE AT SOUTHEND UNITED IN ESSEX

A man from Ossett, Derek Hinchliffe, has been sentenced to prison for a series of disturbing sexual and indecent assault crimes committed during his time as a football coach at Southend United in Essex during the 1970s. The allegations, which span from 1973 to 1977, reveal a pattern of predatory behavior directed at young male players who looked up to him as a mentor and coach.

Hinchliffe, now 82 years old and residing on Ingfield Avenue in Ossett, West Yorkshire, was found guilty of 11 counts of sexual and indecent assault following a comprehensive 14-day trial at Basildon Crown Court. The court heard that his misconduct was not only pervasive but also carefully concealed, often taking place in private settings and under the cover of darkness to avoid detection.

According to the court proceedings, Hinchliffe exploited his position of authority by engaging in inappropriate acts with the boys, including performing sex acts on himself while bathing with them and then taking individual players to private rooms for massages. Some of these incidents occurred late at night in the players’ tunnel at Roots Hall, the home ground of Southend United, where he would carry out these acts in a manner designed to prevent others from witnessing his misconduct. The judge, Shane Collery KC, described Hinchliffe as a domineering figure who created an environment of fear and intimidation, making it less likely for the victims to challenge or report his actions.

Historical concerns about Hinchliffe’s behavior surfaced as early as 1976 when Southend United’s then-manager, Dave Smith, caught him naked in the bath with youth players. The coach left the club in March 1977, but the allegations persisted and were eventually brought to light decades later. Emma Nash, prosecuting, emphasized that the victims, who were teenagers at the time, felt compelled to comply with Hinchliffe’s demands because they believed it was crucial for their football careers. She stated, “He could make or break their future careers,” highlighting the power imbalance that allowed him to manipulate and abuse the young players.

Initially, police investigations into Hinchliffe’s conduct were dropped, but they were reopened in 2017 after a report was made to the Football Association. The court heard that Hinchliffe’s behavior extended beyond Essex, as he continued to abuse young footballers after relocating to Yorkshire in the 1980s. He was previously jailed for 16 months in 1984 for similar offenses. During the trial, Hinchliffe dismissed the allegations as “sour grapes,” claiming that the players’ failure to become professionals was the reason for their accusations. He also admitted to maintaining strict discipline in the dressing room, asserting that the boys “knew better than to step out of line.”

One of the victims, in a statement read aloud in court, described the abuse as a “classic imbalance of power,” while another expressed regret that Hinchliffe’s actions had hindered their potential football career, asserting, “I believe I was good enough to be a professional for Southend United.”

On February 6 of this year, Hinchliffe was unanimously convicted of all charges after the 14-day trial. Today, at Basildon Crown Court, he received a sentence of seven years and seven months in prison, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims.