A convicted paedophile who sexually assaulted a child in a church has been jailed.

Edward Hanbury, of Calvert Court in Coventry, pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault, which included a number of incidents of inappropriate touching of children under the age of 13, some of which happened in a church in Gloucestershire.

At a Gloucester Crown Court hearing, the two victims described being "terrified to leave the house" and "violated" by his actions.

One of their family members shouted "rot in hell" as Hanbury was led to the cells, after being sentenced to more than seven years in prison.

Hanbury, 62, has 15 previous convictions and was jailed for four years in 2012 for sexually assaulting two children under the age of 13.

The offences for which he was sentenced earlier took place in a church, house and car, the court heard.

In a statement read by the prosecution, one of the victims said she felt "scared of older men" after the sexual assaults and became "confrontational with men" close to her.

Another victim, who spoke in court, said: "I have developed major issues to this day and struggle to trust anyone, especially men."

"I get scared walking around anywhere that people would stare at me and think the same things as he did," she added.

Judge Rupert Lowe said Hanbury developed a "serious alcohol problem" after being released from prison, and continued to sexually abuse children for his own "sexual gratification" with "no regard for the serious psychological damage" being done.

"These are the most disgraceful offences. Callous, selfish and with no regard to the effect on your victims," he said.

Judge Lowe sentenced Hanbury to seven years and eight months in prison and said he would serve up to half of that time in jail.

In August 2012, a disturbing case emerged from Coventry involving a local football coach who was ultimately sentenced to four years in prison for heinous acts of sexual abuse against a young girl. The individual at the center of this case, 49-year-old Edward Hanbury, was accused of a series of sexual offenses committed against a girl aged 12 and 13, during a period when he was actively coaching in the Coventry area.

According to court proceedings, the judge described Hanbury as a “sexual pest,” highlighting the severity and persistent nature of his misconduct. The abuse was carried out over a span of time, with the victim revealing that Hanbury’s inappropriate behavior included multiple sexual assaults. The girl, who came forward when she was 14, confided in her mother about the abuse, which led to Hanbury’s arrest and subsequent trial.

Hanbury, who resided on Westmorland Road in the Wyken neighborhood of Coventry, faced serious charges including two counts of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13 and four counts of engaging in sexual acts with a minor. Despite denying the allegations, Hanbury was found guilty by a majority verdict during the trial held in June at Coventry Crown Court. The conviction was announced on a Friday, resulting in a significant legal and personal consequence for Hanbury.

During the court proceedings, the victim provided detailed testimony, recounting multiple instances of sexual touching by Hanbury. She also described an incident where Hanbury attempted to watch her shower, an act that added to the court’s understanding of his predatory behavior. The defense, led by Liz Power, maintained that Hanbury insisted on his innocence, asserting that he accepted the jury’s verdict and that a sentence would follow. It was also noted that Hanbury had built a reputation as a respected community figure through his long-standing involvement in local sports coaching.

However, the judge, Recorder Geriant Walters, delivered a stern judgment, citing specific allegations made by the victim. The court heard that Hanbury had shown his genitals to the girl on one occasion and tried to pull her clothes down on another. When she refused, he reportedly called her a “bore.” The judge also referenced an incident where Hanbury was observed standing on an object to look at the girl in the bathroom while she was showering. The jury’s verdict confirmed that Hanbury’s actions classified him as a “sexual pest” in the eyes of the court.

As part of his sentence, Hanbury was ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life and was given an indefinite ban from working with children. His career as a football coach, which spanned approximately 15 years across Coventry, was effectively ended. He was previously employed on a part-time basis by the Coventry football charity Sky Blues in the Community, but this employment was terminated once the allegations surfaced. The charity confirmed that all staff undergo CRB checks every three years, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding.

Following the sentencing, family members of Hanbury indicated that he intends to appeal the conviction, suggesting that the legal process may not be over. The case has left a significant impact on the local community, raising ongoing concerns about safeguarding and the importance of vigilance in youth sports environments.