GRAHAM HAWKINS FROM BELPER AND BRISTOL CAUGHT COACHING KIDS IN SOUTH AFRICA AFTER SEX ABUSE CONVICTION

In a troubling development, Graham Hawkins, a man with a dark history of sexual abuse in Bristol, has been found coaching young children in South Africa, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of past bans and the safety of vulnerable minors.

Hawkins, who previously worked as a physical education teacher at Withywood School in Bristol, was convicted in July 2012 of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of a teenage girl. The abuse, which spanned from her 14th year, was documented in her diary entries from 30 years earlier, providing compelling evidence that led to his conviction. The court sentenced Hawkins to two and a half years in prison, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender and was banned from working with children for a decade.

Despite these legal restrictions, recent reports have surfaced indicating that Hawkins, who has ties to both Bristol and Belper, is now actively coaching children abroad. A concerned parent contacted the Bristol Post to reveal that Hawkins has been involved with the Khosa Mini Hockey club, located in the Krugersdorp area of Johannesburg, South Africa. The club caters to approximately 220 children aged between five and thirteen years old.

This revelation has caused alarm among parents and community members, especially after it was disclosed that Hawkins was living and working in Gibraltar at the time the offences came to light. The parent expressed outrage, stating, “I am rather taken back by the audacity of Graham Hawkins, coming out to South Africa to coach our youngsters. At no stage did he divulge his prior convictions to any of the other coaches or any of the parents of the children at the club.”

Keith Dauncey, the chairman of the Khosa Mini Hockey club and reportedly a close friend of Hawkins, has offered to resign following the controversy. Parents have voiced their concerns about the club’s awareness of Hawkins’ background, with one parent saying, “I am actually horrified that he is coaching young impressionable children. Surely the ban was placed for a very good reason? I am rather perturbed at how easily a person can come and coach.”

In a note circulated to club members, Dauncey explained his relationship with Hawkins, stating, “I have known Graham since 1995. He has coached my children and many older members of this club’s children (unsupervised without an incident).” He further clarified that Hawkins’ current parole conditions, which are applicable only within the UK, require adult supervision when coaching minors there. Dauncey also mentioned that Hawkins has been coaching children in Gibraltar for the past 27 years without incident and that Hawkins openly discussed his past and his time in prison with him. According to Dauncey, Hawkins has not violated any laws in South Africa and has not been required to register as a sex offender there.

Legal experts note that sex offenders are legally obliged to notify authorities of their travel plans abroad, and police have the authority to inform other jurisdictions to prevent potential offences. However, there is no indication that Hawkins has committed any illegal acts while coaching in South Africa. The authorities have not commented specifically on Hawkins’ case, and it is understood that he has not violated any local laws by working with children.

This case underscores ongoing concerns about the monitoring and regulation of convicted sex offenders, especially those seeking employment or volunteer roles involving children in foreign countries. The situation raises questions about the adequacy of international cooperation and the enforcement of restrictions designed to protect minors from known offenders.