LESLEY SMITH, FORMER CRICKET COACH IN AYLESBURY VALE, JAILED FOR ABUSING BOY
In April 2012, 75-year-old Leslie Smith, a former cricket coach from the Aylesbury Vale area in Buckinghamshire, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to sexually abusing a teenage boy during the 1980s.
Smith, residing on Maritime Street in Edinburgh, committed the offences between November 1985 and October 1986, when the victim was aged 16 and 17.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault at Aylesbury Crown Court.
Following the sentencing, Thames Valley Police released a statement on behalf of the victim, who revealed the profound impact of the abuse on his mental health.
He stated, “My life has been blighted in so many areas.
I have suffered from frequent panic and anxiety attacks, insomnia, agoraphobia, and feelings of acute worthlessness.
It got so bad at times that I just didn’t care whether I lived or died.” Det Sgt Joe Banfield from Thames Valley Police commended the victim’s bravery, saying, “The victim has shown great bravery in coming forward.” He also condemned Smith’s actions, highlighting that the former coach abused his position of trust within the cricket club, describing the misconduct as “despicable.” As part of his sentence, Leslie Smith has been ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and has been disqualified from working with children.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
In April 2012, 75-year-old Leslie Smith, a former cricket coach from the Aylesbury Vale area in Buckinghamshire, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to sexually abusing a teenage boy during the 1980s. Smith, residing on ...
Prison sentence
18 months
In April 2012, 75-year-old Leslie Smith, a former cricket coach from the Aylesbury Vale area in Buckinghamshire, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to sexually abusing a teenage boy during the 1980s
Sex Offenders Register
ten years
It got so bad at times that I just didn't care whether I lived or died." Det Sgt Joe Banfield from Thames Valley Police commended the victim's bravery, saying, "The victim has shown great bravery in coming forward." He also condemned Smith's actions, highlighting that the former coach abused his position of trust within the cricket club, describing the misconduct as "despicable." As part of his sentence, Leslie Smith has been ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and has been disqualified from working with children
Disqualification or ban
ten years
It got so bad at times that I just didn't care whether I lived or died." Det Sgt Joe Banfield from Thames Valley Police commended the victim's bravery, saying, "The victim has shown great bravery in coming forward." He also condemned Smith's actions, highlighting that the former coach abused his position of trust within the cricket club, describing the misconduct as "despicable." As part of his sentence, Leslie Smith has been ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and has been disqualified from working with children
