BRENDON KEY BILSTHORPE FOOTBALL COACH AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENDER SENTENCED IN NOTTINGHAM

In a case that has shocked the local community of Bilsthorpe and the surrounding Nottingham area, 30-year-old Brendon Key has been found guilty of serious charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The incident came to light after police executed a warrant at his residence on Eakring Road on August 20, 2006, uncovering a disturbing collection of illegal material on his personal computer equipment.

Key, who was actively involved in the local football scene, had served as a coach for a private company that provided training to youth teams within the Young Elizabethan Football League, a well-known league based in Nottingham. In addition to his coaching duties, he held the position of treasurer for the league, which regularly hosted teams from Ravenshead, Blidworth, and Sutton. His involvement in the community was considered positive until these allegations surfaced.

Initially, Key denied any involvement with child abuse images, asserting that the laptop seized by police was solely used for football-related activities. However, forensic analysis revealed a different story. The investigation uncovered that between July 2005 and August 17, 2006, the computer was used to download adult pornography and access websites that, while primarily adult in nature, also contained paedophile content intertwined with teen sites. The police found a total of 101 indecent images of children on his devices, ranging from the most serious category to less severe levels.

Key faced multiple charges, including 15 counts of making indecent images of children and two counts of possession. The most serious charge involved a level one indecent image, with additional charges relating to five images at a lower level and three at level four. His guilty plea came after a lengthy investigation and court proceedings.

Following his conviction, Nottingham Crown Court sentenced Key to a five-year period on the sex offenders register, requiring him to regularly report to authorities. Furthermore, he was placed under a strict three-year community order that mandated supervision and attendance at 35 sessions of an internet sex offender treatment program. As part of his rehabilitation and punishment, he was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid community service.

In a statement to the court, Judge Joan Butler expressed her disappointment, remarking, “It is a great shame to see someone aged 30 and of previous good character appearing before the court for something as serious as this. Eventually, you had the good sense to plead guilty but it was very, very late in the day.”

Following the court proceedings, Key’s former employers, who had been unaware of his criminal activities, promptly dismissed him from his coaching role. The case has left a lasting impact on the local community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the ongoing fight against child exploitation and abuse.