JOSHUA DUFFY BRADFORD JUNIOR FOOTBALL COACH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND ATTEMPTED RAPE IN BRADFORD

In April 2012, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse and grooming came to light involving Joshua Duffy, a former junior football coach based in Bradford. Duffy, aged 23 at the time, was convicted of a series of heinous offences committed over a span of seven years, targeting two young boys. His crimes included attempted rape, sexual assault, indecent assault, and the production of indecent photographs of minors.

Joshua Duffy, who resided at Ploughman’s Croft in Bolton, Bradford, had previously shown interest in recruiting players for his under-tens Sunday League football team called King’s Park Rangers. In October 2009, he even posted a message on the club’s online message board seeking new players, seemingly unaware that his actions would soon come under criminal scrutiny.

Following a thorough investigation, Duffy was convicted last week by a jury at Bradford Crown Court on 18 separate charges related to his sexual misconduct. The court heard that Duffy had engaged in grooming behaviors, lavishing gifts and computer games on one of his victims, a boy aged between ten and 13, to manipulate him into sexual acts. The abuse included two attempted rapes, with Duffy luring the boy to his home under the pretense of playing computer games and offering gifts.

During the trial, the prosecution revealed that Duffy had taken indecent photographs of the boy, some of which depicted him naked or semi-naked. These images were discovered after police seized Duffy’s computer, which contained seven indecent images. The police investigation was prompted when staff at the boy’s school expressed concern over overly affectionate texts from Duffy on the boy’s phone. The messages raised suspicions, leading to the police intervention.

Prosecutor Nick Askins detailed that Duffy had used his mobile phone to take the photographs and transferred them to his computer. Duffy attempted to deny the allegations, claiming that the boy had taken the photos himself while flashing at the camera. However, the evidence and testimonies from the victims painted a stark picture of grooming and sexual abuse.

Further disturbing revelations emerged during the trial, indicating that Duffy had also indecently touched a second boy, who was between three and five years old at the time of the abuse. This second victim was 14 or 15 when the abuse was disclosed. Duffy’s inappropriate conduct towards this second boy included giving him gifts and allowing him to play on his gaming console, further illustrating the extent of his predatory behavior.

Throughout the proceedings, Duffy’s defense, led by solicitor Sophie Drake, argued that he was only a youth when the offending began and that he had struggled with chronic alcoholism from a young age. Duffy claimed to have since stopped drinking, despite the emotional toll of the case.

Judge James Stewart QC, presiding over the case, remanded Duffy in custody and scheduled his sentencing for the following Wednesday. The court is expected to impose a lengthy prison sentence, reflecting the severity of his crimes. Additionally, a Sexual Offences Prevention Order will be issued to restrict Duffy’s contact with children, and he has already been registered on the sex offenders’ register to ensure ongoing monitoring and protection for potential future victims.