GEORGE HOLDEN, CHESTERFIELD PAEDOPHILE CLOWN AND TEACHER, SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN PRISON
In November 2021, a disturbing case involving George Holden, a man with a long history of sexual offenses, came to light in Chesterfield.Holden, aged 88, who was once known as Georgie the Clown and worked as a children’s entertainer, teacher, and swimming instructor, was convicted of a series of heinous crimes committed against young children during the 1970s and earlier decades.
Holden’s criminal activities spanned several locations within Chesterfield, including the Queen’s Park Leisure Centre, where he was employed as a swimming instructor.
It was here that he abused two young victims, aged between seven and eleven, in the changing rooms and other private settings.
His actions, which he considered 'normal' at the time, were part of a pattern of predatory behavior that extended over many years.
The court heard that Holden’s past convictions included the sexual abuse of blind and disabled children while working as a teacher at a special school.
These earlier offenses, which surfaced in the 1980s, involved multiple victims and were linked to his employment at a residential school for partially-sighted children in the 1960s, as well as his work at the leisure centre in Chesterfield during the 1970s.
Despite these convictions, Holden was never imprisoned but received only a community order.
During his latest trial, Holden pleaded guilty to 13 counts of indecent assault, two counts of gross indecency with a child, and three counts of buggery.
The trial revealed that he had targeted children by picking them up from their parents’ homes and driving them to the leisure centre, where he would abuse them during lessons and in the changing rooms afterward.
The abuse was described as being carried out openly, with Holden making inappropriate comments about the victims’ bodies and inviting some of them to his home while his wife, also a teacher, was at work.
At his residence on Ashgate Road, Chesterfield, Holden would show children pornography and incite them into sexual acts.
One victim recounted being abused in Skegness while on holiday, where Holden was working as an entertainer.
The victims reported feeling 'dirty and ashamed,' with one stating that the abuse had left lasting psychological scars, including flashbacks and difficulty trusting authority figures.
Prosecutor Julia King highlighted that Holden’s offending was systematic and manipulative, often involving grooming the children and their parents to gain access and trust.
The court was told that Holden’s actions caused untold suffering and trauma to his victims, who struggled with the aftermath for years.
Judge Robert, presiding over the case, condemned Holden’s behavior, emphasizing that he did not believe Holden thought his actions were normal.
The judge stated, “You knew what you were doing from the outset was wrong and targeted young children, groomed them, and then abused them.
Your offending has had a significant traumatic effect on them.” Judge Egbuna sentenced Holden to 13 years in prison, with an extended license period of one year.
Additionally, Holden was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to society.
The case underscores the importance of vigilance and safeguarding measures to protect children from predators like George Holden, whose manipulative tactics and long history of abuse have left a lasting impact on his victims.
