LEWIS NAINBY SEATON SLUICE: EX-COACH AND PAEDOPHILE CONTINUES WORK AT NEWCASTLE SCHOOL DESPITE ADMITTING ATTRACTION TO YOUNG BOYS

In a disturbing case that has resurfaced concerns about safeguarding and accountability, Lewis Nainby, a former sports coach from Seaton Sluice, was found to have continued his involvement with a Newcastle school despite openly admitting to a sexual attraction to young boys and seeking psychiatric help for the same issue.

According to court records, Nainby, aged 74, was initially associated with a local junior football club where he served as a coach. The court heard that during a trip in the mid-1980s, two boys reported being subjected to abuse by Nainby. Following these reports, Nainby sought psychiatric assistance, which was disclosed during the proceedings. Despite the allegations, Nainby was instructed to leave the football club, and the incident was reported to the authorities.

Details of the abuse emerged during the trial, revealing that Nainby had, on one occasion, awoken a teenage boy during a trip by touching his genitals. The court was told that the boy, after the incident, gathered his belongings and ran from the room, reporting the incident to a member of the club staff. Parents were subsequently informed, and Nainby was asked to leave the club. However, despite these serious allegations and the knowledge of the incident by parents and the school, no criminal complaint was initially filed against him.

After his retirement from formal coaching, Nainby continued to be involved in the school community as a volunteer football coach and exam invigilator at Seaton Burn High School. A spokesperson for the school confirmed that Nainby was suspended immediately after the allegations came to light and has not had any contact with pupils since. The school emphasized that Nainby’s role was casual and that he was not involved in any official capacity at the time of the allegations.

In court, Nainby pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault. Prosecutor Sue Hirst explained that Nainby had gained the trust of both parents and children through his coaching activities, which he exploited to commit the abuse. The court was told that Nainby had asked victims if they wanted to sit on his knee or drive his car, actions that contributed to the grooming process.

It was also revealed that the victims, who are now adults, waited nearly 30 years before coming forward in May 2013, after discovering that Nainby was still coaching children. This delay was attributed to their fear and the betrayal of trust they experienced.

Representing Nainby, lawyer Katherine Dunn stated that her client had not re-offended since receiving psychiatric treatment in 1985. She highlighted that Nainby had dedicated much of his life to charity work, including volunteering with a hospice in the North East. Dunn described Nainby’s attitude towards his sexuality as 'old-fashioned' and suggested that his actions occurred during a period when he was 'at a low ebb.'

Judge Deborah Sherwin sentenced Nainby to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months. She also ordered him to register as a sex offender and participate in a sex offenders treatment program. The judge expressed concern over the lack of clarity regarding whether any adults were aware of Nainby’s actions during the showers, but acknowledged that he had sought help in 1985 and had ceased coaching at that time.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and transparency in safeguarding children, especially when individuals with known issues continue to have access to young people. The community of Seaton Sluice and Newcastle remains shaken by the revelations, which highlight the long-lasting impact of abuse and the necessity for robust protective measures.