MICHAEL COSTIN FROM ROMFORD AND WHITE HORSE JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In a series of disturbing developments, Michael Costin, a man with a long history of predatory behavior, has been convicted and sentenced for multiple child sex offenses committed over several years. His criminal activities span different locations, including Romford, White Horse, Abingdon, and Felixstowe, revealing a troubling pattern of abuse that persisted despite previous convictions and investigations.

Costin, who previously worked as a geography teacher and was involved in youth organizations such as the Sea Scouts and Millwall Rugby Club, first came under scrutiny in the mid-1990s. In May 1996, Ipswich Crown Court sentenced him to two years in prison after he was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on three Sea Scouts. During that trial, it was also alleged that he had supplied alcohol to underage boys, further highlighting his predatory tendencies. Despite these allegations, he was acquitted of six other charges related to similar offenses.

Following his release from prison, Costin, formerly residing on Graham Road in Felixstowe, moved to Abingdon in Oxfordshire. Later, he relocated to Romford, where he became the chairman of Millwall Rugby Club. His movements and associations did not deter his criminal behavior, as he continued to commit sexual offenses in both Abingdon and Romford, targeting teenage boys and girls. The victims ranged in age from 13 to 17, and his methods involved grooming them with alcohol and cannabis to facilitate sexual abuse.

Costin's latest conviction was secured at Oxford Crown Court, where he faced a total of 22 charges related to sexual offenses committed between July 2007 and 2010 in Oxfordshire. The jury found him guilty of seven counts of sexual activity with a male under 16 and four counts involving a girl under 16. The evidence presented detailed how he had plied a 13-year-old boy and his girlfriend with alcohol and drugs to maintain sexual relationships. The assaults on the boy began when he was just 13 years old, and the abuse continued over a period of time, causing significant distress to the victims.

His criminal activities also extended to East London, where he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy. The incident involved an attempt to masturbate the boy in a vehicle outside Millwall Rugby Club, from which he had previously been expelled following his arrest. Despite these convictions, Costin was found not guilty of three other charges, including one of rape, with the jury unable to reach a verdict on the remaining charges.

Costin's history of offending has led to him being required to sign the sex offenders’ register for life. Previously, he was on the register for ten years following his earlier assaults in Suffolk. His criminal record also includes allegations dating back to 1993, when parents claimed he discussed sexual topics during geography lessons, though initial investigations failed to find evidence of wrongdoing. Further complaints in 1994 about drugging students did not result in prosecution, but his arrest in early 1995 was prompted by parents who reported concerns to a senior police officer.

In October 2011, Costin was convicted again in Oxford, where he was sentenced to ten years in prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual offenses involving minors from the Vale of White Horse area. The police reported that he had taken victims on camping trips, during which he supplied them with alcohol and cannabis before abusing them sexually. This conviction marked a significant escalation in his criminal career, which had already spanned over a decade and multiple jurisdictions.

Most recently, in November 2011, Costin was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to an indeterminate term of 10 years for his latest series of offenses. The court also mandated that he be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and disqualified from working with children indefinitely. He is required to serve a minimum of four years before being eligible for parole. Thames Valley police officials expressed satisfaction with the sentence, emphasizing the manipulative nature of Costin and the bravery of his victims in coming forward. The case underscores the persistent danger posed by individuals like Costin, whose predatory behavior has caused profound harm across multiple communities.