EXMOUTH YOUTH FOOTBALL COACH DANNY GOULD CAUGHT TRYING TO COAX SCHOOLGIRLS INTO INDECENT IMAGES

In December 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving Danny Gould, a youth football coach from Exmouth, who admitted to attempting to persuade underage girls to send him explicit images. The incident came to light after a concerned mother discovered her 14-year-old daughter was engaged in online conversations with Gould, prompting her to investigate her daughter's computer activity.

Gould, aged 20 and residing on Brimpenny Road in Exmouth, was a coach affiliated with Exmouth Amateurs. The mother found that Gould had been in contact with her daughter via social media platforms, initially exchanging messages before shifting their conversation to WhatsApp, a more secure messaging service. It was during this exchange that Gould began requesting explicit photographs from the girl. Although she sent him approximately 15 images, they only depicted her in a bikini, and she refused his further demands for more revealing pictures.

Further investigations revealed that Gould had also been communicating with another girl, aged 13, who similarly declined to send explicit images. Police uncovered chat logs where Gould asked the younger girl to expose her legs and breasts. When she disclosed her age, Gould responded insensitively, asking, “what’s wrong with that? No-one will know, you are still sexy,” and continued to send sexualized messages. These exchanges highlighted Gould’s inappropriate and predatory behavior towards minors.

As a result of these findings, Gould was compelled to relinquish his role at Exmouth Amateurs and was placed under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which restricts his contact with anyone under the age of 16. Despite the serious nature of his actions, Gould was spared immediate imprisonment. During his appearance at Exeter Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Fuller described Gould as an immature and naïve individual rather than an internet predator. The judge emphasized that Gould’s actions, while serious, did not involve the actual distribution of indecent images, which mitigated the potential harm.

Gould pleaded guilty to two charges of inciting girls under 16 to send indecent images. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, and was ordered to undergo 12 months of supervision. Additionally, he was required to pay costs amounting to £250. Judge Fuller remarked, “It would be wrong to describe you as an internet predator. You are an immature man who committed a very serious error of judgment. Fortunately, the images which you sought never materialized so you are only charged with incitement and to that extent greater harm was avoided.”

Richard Crabb, the prosecutor, detailed how police were alerted to the case last year after the mother of the 14-year-old girl expressed concern over her online interactions with Gould. The investigation revealed that Gould had initially contacted the girl through social media before moving their conversation to WhatsApp, where he persistently asked for photographs. The girl sent him around 15 images, all of which showed her in a bikini, but Gould continued to press for more revealing pictures. When she reminded him of her age, he responded with a dismissive attitude, stating he would wait for her.

In addition to the case involving the 14-year-old, police found chat logs with a 13-year-old girl in which Gould asked her to expose her legs and breasts. When she told him her age, he responded inappropriately, asking, “what’s wrong with that? No-one will know, you are still sexy,” and continued to send sexualized messages. The case drew attention to Gould’s troubling behavior and the potential risks posed to vulnerable minors.

Support for Gould’s character was presented during the trial, including testimonials from the chairman of Exmouth Amateurs and parents of children he coached, emphasizing his involvement in youth sports and community activities. Nonetheless, the court’s focus remained on the seriousness of his actions and the need to protect minors from exploitation and harm.