KEITH TURNER BANNED FROM UK YOUTH SPORTS IN ROTHERHAM FOR SEX OFFENCES
| Red Rose Database
Rotherham Child Sexual Abuser
In November 2004, Keith Turner, a known sex offender from no fixed address, was banned from all youth sporting events across the UK after posing as a Premiership football scout to groom and abuse a 12-year-old boy. Turner is believed to be the first individual in South Yorkshire—and among the first nationwide—to be subject to the new Sexual Offences Prevention Order.
Sheffield Crown Court heard that Turner spent several weeks grooming the young player from Rotherham, claiming he was the chief scout for Middlesbrough Football Club. Turner followed the boy to matches in Rotherham and Sheffield, and invited him to private coaching sessions. He also wrote numerous letters to the boy’s parents praising his football talents, and even asked him to take part in a supposed football competition, which was later discovered to be fictitious.
Turner’s sinister plan was uncovered when he was seen groping the boy’s leg during a conversation about the so-called competition at the Sandygate Hotel in Wath. He was promptly arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to indecent assault.
Judge Alan Goldsack QC, the Recorder of Sheffield, issued an order banning Turner from attending any sporting event in England and Wales involving children under 16, until further notice. The judge emphasized that such measures were necessary "to prevent juveniles from any unwanted attention" from Turner.
Although Turner was spared a jail sentence—having already served six months on remand—he was sentenced to a two-year community rehabilitation order. As part of his sentence, he is required to participate in a sex offenders programme and is prohibited from working with children.
Councillor Mick Rooney, the Cabinet Member for Social Services and Health, stated: "It is really important that young people are active and healthy, and they need to be kept safe while they are playing sport."
Sheffield Crown Court heard that Turner spent several weeks grooming the young player from Rotherham, claiming he was the chief scout for Middlesbrough Football Club. Turner followed the boy to matches in Rotherham and Sheffield, and invited him to private coaching sessions. He also wrote numerous letters to the boy’s parents praising his football talents, and even asked him to take part in a supposed football competition, which was later discovered to be fictitious.
Turner’s sinister plan was uncovered when he was seen groping the boy’s leg during a conversation about the so-called competition at the Sandygate Hotel in Wath. He was promptly arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to indecent assault.
Judge Alan Goldsack QC, the Recorder of Sheffield, issued an order banning Turner from attending any sporting event in England and Wales involving children under 16, until further notice. The judge emphasized that such measures were necessary "to prevent juveniles from any unwanted attention" from Turner.
Although Turner was spared a jail sentence—having already served six months on remand—he was sentenced to a two-year community rehabilitation order. As part of his sentence, he is required to participate in a sex offenders programme and is prohibited from working with children.
Councillor Mick Rooney, the Cabinet Member for Social Services and Health, stated: "It is really important that young people are active and healthy, and they need to be kept safe while they are playing sport."