PAUL WHELAN OF THORNTON JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN PRESTON

In September 2017, Paul Whelan, a 57-year-old former children’s football coach from Maida Vale, Anchorsholme, was sentenced to three years and three months in prison after admitting to multiple charges of sexual abuse. Whelan, who volunteered at two junior football clubs in Thornton during the 1970s and 1990s, exploited his coaching roles to groom and sexually abused young boys.

Preston Crown Court heard that Whelan, while coaching at Churchills in Thornton during the 1970s, convinced a 10-year-old boy to visit his home. There, he began asking inappropriate questions, such as “Are you a virgin?” before persuading the child to undress and then assaulting him twice. Prosecutors disclosed that two other young boys claimed Whelan had taken them to his room in an attempt to persuade them to remove their clothing.

Referring to a statement from Whelan’s first victim, Paul Brookwell, the prosecution said: “He had heard other pupils at school discussing the defendant, calling him a paedophile. That had an effect on him, causing him feelings of shame. He knew he had done nothing wrong but the feelings remained. He said it would live with him forever, and that it has blighted his life.”

In addition, Whelan admitted to indecently assaulting a 15-year-old boy in the 1990s. Using his position as a coach at Wyre Juniors, he lured the teenager to his home where he sat him on a chair and began to touch his legs. The teen came forward last year after reading news reports about a footballer who had been abused.

Whelan was interviewed by police three times—initially in January and April 2016, and again in January 2017. He denied the allegations, claiming he struggled to remember the boys, and initially pleaded not guilty. However, he changed his plea to guilty when the case went to trial in August.

During sentencing, His Honour Judge Adkin described the impact on victims, saying, “The crime has left one of his victims ‘angry’ and ‘suspicious about men with children’. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t think about it.” The judge emphasized the severity of Whelan’s actions, noting, “There was a measure of planning and deception by you. You assaulted the victims; you groomed them and took advantage of their naivete and willingness to please a figure in authority. This offending is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.”