LATCHFORD RUGBY COACH ROBERT BLORE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL GROOMING OF 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN CHESTER
| Red Rose Database
Latchford Child Sexual Abuser
In November 2012, a disturbing case unfolded at Chester Crown Court involving Robert Blore, a 36-year-old former children’s rugby coach from Ash Grove, Latchford. Blore was convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, specifically a 14-year-old girl, and was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison for the sexual offences, with an additional three-month sentence to run concurrently for kissing the girl. The judge presiding over the case, Judge Nicholas Woodward, delivered a stern verdict, emphasizing the deliberate nature of Blore’s grooming behavior.
Judge Woodward stated, “I have no doubt what you did was to deliberately groom this girl and it resulted in the two charges for which you have been convicted of. She was clearly distraught about everything that had happened.” The court heard that Blore, who was coaching at Latchford Albion, had taken the girl on various outings, including trips to Blackpool, during the period of grooming from July to August 2011. During this time, he also provided her with an iPad to maintain contact while he was away on holiday in Turkey.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that the girl’s mother discovered messages on the iPad in which Blore referred to her as ‘fit’ and expressed his attraction. The court was shown footage from a Super League match between St Helens and Hull FC at the Stobart Stadium, captured by Sky Sports, where Blore was seen kissing the girl and placing his hand on her inner thigh. The girl later confided in her mother that they had slept together, prompting her family to contact the police.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution highlighted Blore’s inappropriate behavior and grooming tactics. It was revealed that he had taken the girl on days out, paid for her to attend a concert by N-Dubz, and even kissed her in bushes at Blackbear Park while walking his dog. Blore also added her on Facebook, further establishing his attempts to maintain contact.
During his evidence, Blore claimed that his actions were innocent, stating, “There was no significance about it. I tapped her on the leg for a second, two at the most. I was celebrating a drop goal.” However, the prosecution’s case painted a different picture, with Maria Masselis asserting that Blore was “constantly hugging her, kissing her on the mouth, and telling her that he loved her.” The court also heard that Blore called her ‘gorgeous,’ ‘fit,’ and ‘babe,’ and that he groomed her by taking her to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and paying for her to attend an N-Dubz concert.
Further evidence showed that Blore gave the girl an iPad while on a family holiday in Turkey, enabling him to message her remotely. Messages found on his iPhone’s notepad application, sent to a contact named ‘sexy commander,’ revealed a nickname for the girl, to which she responded with ‘sexy soldier.’ The court heard that Blore coerced the girl into having sex at his home in July, despite her crying during the incident. The girl’s family did not report the matter to police until August, after she became uncomfortable with his advances.
Blore was arrested on September 21 of the previous year. During police interviews, he denied all allegations, asserting, “Don’t be ridiculous, I’m CRB checked, I teach rugby to children.” Despite his denials, the jury found him guilty last Friday. He is scheduled to be sentenced on the upcoming Tuesday, marking a significant moment in the ongoing effort to protect young victims from exploitation and grooming by trusted community figures.
Judge Woodward stated, “I have no doubt what you did was to deliberately groom this girl and it resulted in the two charges for which you have been convicted of. She was clearly distraught about everything that had happened.” The court heard that Blore, who was coaching at Latchford Albion, had taken the girl on various outings, including trips to Blackpool, during the period of grooming from July to August 2011. During this time, he also provided her with an iPad to maintain contact while he was away on holiday in Turkey.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that the girl’s mother discovered messages on the iPad in which Blore referred to her as ‘fit’ and expressed his attraction. The court was shown footage from a Super League match between St Helens and Hull FC at the Stobart Stadium, captured by Sky Sports, where Blore was seen kissing the girl and placing his hand on her inner thigh. The girl later confided in her mother that they had slept together, prompting her family to contact the police.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution highlighted Blore’s inappropriate behavior and grooming tactics. It was revealed that he had taken the girl on days out, paid for her to attend a concert by N-Dubz, and even kissed her in bushes at Blackbear Park while walking his dog. Blore also added her on Facebook, further establishing his attempts to maintain contact.
During his evidence, Blore claimed that his actions were innocent, stating, “There was no significance about it. I tapped her on the leg for a second, two at the most. I was celebrating a drop goal.” However, the prosecution’s case painted a different picture, with Maria Masselis asserting that Blore was “constantly hugging her, kissing her on the mouth, and telling her that he loved her.” The court also heard that Blore called her ‘gorgeous,’ ‘fit,’ and ‘babe,’ and that he groomed her by taking her to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and paying for her to attend an N-Dubz concert.
Further evidence showed that Blore gave the girl an iPad while on a family holiday in Turkey, enabling him to message her remotely. Messages found on his iPhone’s notepad application, sent to a contact named ‘sexy commander,’ revealed a nickname for the girl, to which she responded with ‘sexy soldier.’ The court heard that Blore coerced the girl into having sex at his home in July, despite her crying during the incident. The girl’s family did not report the matter to police until August, after she became uncomfortable with his advances.
Blore was arrested on September 21 of the previous year. During police interviews, he denied all allegations, asserting, “Don’t be ridiculous, I’m CRB checked, I teach rugby to children.” Despite his denials, the jury found him guilty last Friday. He is scheduled to be sentenced on the upcoming Tuesday, marking a significant moment in the ongoing effort to protect young victims from exploitation and grooming by trusted community figures.