JOHNATHAN BEDFORD'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN LINCOLN: FOOTBALL COACH SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Lincoln community, Johnathan Bedford, a former youth football coach and referee, has been sentenced to eleven and a half years in prison for a series of heinous offences committed against teenage boys. The crimes, which include rape and sexual assault, took place over a span of several years and have left a lasting impact on the victims and the local sports community alike.

Bedford, a married man deeply involved in Lincoln’s youth football scene, used his position to gain the trust of young boys. His involvement in local football leagues and his role as a referee provided him with access to vulnerable youths, some of whom he exploited sexually. The court heard that Bedford also persuaded some of his victims to send him indecent photographs of themselves, further demonstrating his manipulative and predatory behavior.

During the sentencing at Lincoln Crown Court, Recorder Graham Huston emphasized the severity of Bedford’s actions. He imposed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, which aims to restrict Bedford’s activities upon his release from prison, and ordered that Bedford be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. The judge expressed a stark view of Bedford’s lack of remorse, stating, “I see no indication of remorse. No apology. No regret. You are a thoroughly selfish man who has never once sought to consider the damage you were causing. Everything you did, you did to get the opportunity of a sexual encounter.”

Prosecutor Martin Hurst provided the court with details of Bedford’s manipulative behavior. He explained that Bedford worked as a driver, making daily deliveries, and spent his leisure time as a football referee and coach. The victims described Bedford as generous, engaging, and bubbly, traits that helped him gain their trust. Some of the boys, who were vulnerable or faced difficulties at school, saw Bedford as a helpful figure. However, it became clear that Bedford harbored a sexual interest in these boys, testing boundaries to see how far he could go and gauging their reactions.

Hurst detailed the devastating impact of Bedford’s crimes, including the case of an 18-year-old victim whom Bedford raped after the young man had been drinking heavily in town. The victim was so intoxicated that he was unable to resist or fight off Bedford’s assault. In addition to this, Bedford sexually touched two other boys and persuaded others to take selfies in their boxer shorts, which he then requested via Snapchat, further illustrating his predatory behavior.

Johnathan Bedford, aged 34 and residing on Monks Road in Lincoln, denied one charge of rape, two charges of sexual activity with a child, and a further charge of sexual assault. Despite his denials, the jury found him guilty on all counts. The offences spanned from September 23, 2008, to December 31, 2010. Bedford had previously admitted to six charges of inciting the sexual exploitation of a child and one charge of attempted sexual exploitation of a child, covering the period from January 2013 to March 2014. In total, ten teenage boys were affected by his actions.

Throughout the trial, Bedford maintained his innocence, denying any inappropriate conduct with the boys who testified against him. His conviction marks a significant moment in the fight against abuse within youth sports, and the community now grapples with the aftermath of his betrayal of trust.