MICHAEL WEBB'S CRIME IN THAME: A CHILD'S TRAUMA AND THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE

In March 2003, a devastating incident unfolded in Thame that would leave a lasting impact on a young boy and his family. The victim, a schoolboy with a passion for football, was lured to the home of Michael Webb, a 47-year-old man residing in Roundhead Drive, Thame. Webb, who was a fully-qualified referee affiliated with the Berks and Bucks Football Association, exploited the boy's trust and innocence, leading to a heinous assault that would haunt the family for years to come.

The young victim, who was just 16 at the time, managed to escape from Webb’s house wearing only his boxer shorts and a fleece. Frightened and traumatized, he immediately dialed 999 to seek help. The attack not only inflicted physical and emotional scars but also pushed the boy to the brink of despair, with his family revealing that he was close to contemplating suicide due to the trauma.

Webb’s actions shocked the community and the wider footballing world. His role as a referee made the assault even more disturbing, as it cast a shadow over the integrity of the sport and the safety of children involved in football activities. Webb was subsequently arrested and brought before Oxford Crown Court, where he was sentenced to six months in prison earlier that year. The leniency of the sentence sparked widespread outrage among victims’ advocates and the public alike.

In response to the perceived injustice, the mother of the victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous for legal reasons, reached out for support. She was left feeling helpless and frustrated, recounting her struggles to find appropriate help for her son and other victims. She described her experience of being passed from one agency to another, with many telling her they could not assist because they were outside their jurisdiction. Her words reflected her desperation: “I was left running round in circles going from place to place asking for help, but people kept telling me I was out of their area so they couldn’t help me. I was telling them ‘for goodness’ sake somebody help me because my son is ready to commit suicide.’”

Thanks to the intervention of the Free Press, she was connected with Phoenix Survivors, a support organization run by victims of paedophiles and child molesters. With their guidance, she launched an appeal to the Attorney General, who publicly criticized Webb’s initial sentence as “unduly lenient.” This led to Webb’s sentence being increased to two years in prison.

The mother expressed her disillusionment with the justice system but also her resolve to turn her pain into a force for change. She emphasized the importance of speaking out against injustice, stating, “There was just no justice and it really opened my eyes. Most of the time we sit there and think if the judge says that’s the sentence then we don’t have a leg to stand on, but your voice can be heard. If you really believe an injustice has been done, do something about it.”

Her journey from helplessness to activism has been arduous, but she now dedicates herself to raising awareness and supporting other victims. She reflected on the profound impact of the ordeal, saying, “It feels like it’s the end of the world. The night it happened we were given the life sentence. But there is something good that can come out of it. We need to get the message across that we have to make a difference otherwise what my son has gone through, what other children are going through, and what others have endured for years will be for nothing. Now is the time to start making a difference and we have to shout loudest.”