GRAHAM SIMMS, A LEICESTER PAEDOPHILE, SENTENCED TO INDEFINITE IMPRISONMENT

In July 2009, Graham Simms, a 49-year-old dangerous paedophile from Leicester, was sentenced to an indefinite jail term for public protection after preying on young boys at football matches. Simms had befriended boys and their families at Leicester City Football Club matches and at a local amateur football club, then inappropriately touched the children.

Simms, who resides on Braunstone Lane in Braunstone, Leicester, was found guilty earlier this year of five counts of sexual assault against a child under 13 and three counts of sexual grooming. The court was told that Simms, a prior offender with previous convictions related to sex offences against children, committed these offences while on licence.

At Leicester Crown Court, Simms was informed he will not be eligible for parole for at least three and a half years. He was also handed a life Sexual Offences Prevention Order, permanently banned from working with children, and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Judge Simon Hammond addressed the packed courtroom, which included many of Simms’ victims' families, stating, “That, in effect, is a life sentence. This man will not be released until the authorities believe he no longer poses a threat to young boys.” He expressed his belief that Simms would serve many years in prison, calling him “a very dangerous paedophile.”

The victims’ families reacted with cheers and applause when the judge spoke.

The court revealed that Simms had previous convictions for sexual offences in 1987, 1991, 2000, and 2003. His offences included touching young boys’ private parts after meeting them through local football teams. Additionally, he targeted a vulnerable single mother and then inappropriately touched her son.

Simms was released on licence in April 2004 but continued offending and deceiving those responsible for monitoring him. During the trial, it was disclosed that he ingratiated himself with families of football-enthusiastic boys, offering to take them to matches using his own vehicle and dressing in Leicester City club tracksuits with badges to appear more official.

He would hug, kiss, and even slap one boy on the backside, the court heard. While he was convicted of sexual assault and grooming, he was cleared of more serious allegations involving touching private parts.

Judge Hammond commented, “Over the period of 20 years he has shown himself to be a persistent and unrepentant paedophile who cannot keep himself away from boys. It would be dangerous to underestimate the effect of his actions—hugging, kissing, and grooming—those acts have long-term consequences for victims. These were sexual acts committed for his own gratification and part of a grooming process.”

He also expressed concern that two prior sexual offences prevention courses had failed to change Simms’ behavior, adding, “I think it’s quite clear that he has deceived those trying to help him.”

The judge clarified that Leicester City Football Club and the amateur club bore no responsibility and noted that Simms had been banned for life from Leicester’s Walkers Stadium. He emphasized the importance of awareness among clubs about the risks posed by paedophiles trying to get close to young players.

A pre-sentence report suggested that Simms blamed his victims for what happened, claiming they instigated the offences. Judge Hammond rejected this, calling such claims “absolute, total nonsense.”

Philip Gibbs, Simms’ lawyer, defended him by highlighting that the 49-year-old, who suffers from ill health, had made efforts to advance his education while incarcerated and had not caused trouble for officers. Gibbs also mentioned that Simms claimed disability benefits and had helped his disabled mother and another disabled woman.

However, the court noted that Simms was not convicted of the more serious offences and that his display of affection had caused only “mild discomfort” to the children. Judge Hammond responded sternly, “You cannot minimise the long-term effects on youngsters.”