DEVON ATHLETICS COACH JONATHAN MILAM BANNED FROM WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN EXETER

In July 2012, an Exeter-based athletics coach, Jonathan Milam, saw his career come to an end following serious misconduct involving a teenage athlete.

Milam, 47 years old at the time, was a well-regarded coach dedicated to his sport. However, he became infatuated with a 16-year-old girl he met at a gym. Exeter Crown Court heard that he offered to give her a deep muscle massage, during which he took the opportunity to touch her inappropriately.

During proceedings, it was revealed that Milam told the girl she was beautiful and expressed a desire that she was older. He also sent her numerous text messages. The situation escalated when he invited her to his home, served her red wine, and confided that he had been dreaming about her. The girl eventually confided in her father about Milam’s behavior.

Milam, a coach with Exeter Harriers from Vaughan Road, Exeter, admitted to two counts of sexual assault. He was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work and placed under an 18-month community order by Judge Justice Butterfield.

As part of his sentence, Milam was required to sign the sex offenders’ register, a measure that will prevent him from working with children in the future.

Stephen Nunn,representing Milam, stated, "He has now lost his career and his marriage has broken down after going through a bad time for two years or so."