ROMAN FLETCHER AND SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN CHESHIRE
A man named Roman Fletcher, known to have a disturbing history linked to child exploitation, was recently spotted engaging in prohibited activities at children’s football matches in Cheshire, raising serious concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of prior restrictions.Roman Fletcher, a 21-year-old formerly known as Peter Burns, has a well-documented past involving grooming minors.
He is currently subject to a stringent 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which was imposed to prevent further sexual offences.
Despite this legal restriction, Fletcher has actively sought access to children, utilizing his knowledge and skills as a football referee in apparently inappropriate ways.
Fletcher’s criminal record is extensive and troubling.
In 2017, he received a youth referral order after being involved in four separate incidents where he incited minors to engage in sexual activity.
These offences involved one boy and three girls.
Later, in 2019, Fletcher was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for the same type of offence directed towards a different boy.
It was during this time that the court also issued the current SHPO, designed specifically to restrict his contact with minors.
His efforts to breach these restrictions became evident in recent months.
According to court proceedings, Fletcher exploited his training as a football official to covertly gain access to children participating in youth football events across Cheshire.
His presence was first noticed by Natalie Pinnington, an FA coach who works with a girls’ under-14 team called Brookvale United based in Warrington.
She recognized Fletcher from previous encounters and was aware of his restrictions from working with children.
On September 26 of the previous year, during a session at the Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub in Warrington, Pinnington saw a man carrying a Sports Direct bag standing close to the pitch she was coaching on.
She initially thought he might be a referee or assistant, as he was actively involving himself in game decisions, notably signaling an offside call.
Her suspicions grew when she saw him talking to a young child around six years old and later playing football with groups of children aged approximately 10 to 12.
She identified the man as Roman Fletcher after confirming with others and joined by a fellow coach, she took a photograph of him using her phone and immediately contacted the Football Association (FA) to report her concerns.
Fletcher’s attempts to remain close to children continued.
On October 10, he made a return visit to the same location and was again observed by Pinnington.
He was told to stay outside the designated playing area, but after the game, he returned and went into goal to play football with a group of children aged between eight and thirteen.
His behavior was again documented through photographic evidence taken by Pinnington, which was handed over to authorities.
The situation escalated when Fletcher appeared once more on November 7, playing football with boys aged between nine and twelve.
This time, Pinnington called the police, and Fletcher hurriedly left the scene.
His repeated breaches of the court-imposed restrictions caused further concern.
Upon arrest and interview by law enforcement, Fletcher admitted to violating his SHPO but claimed he had no intention of harming any child.
His defenses appeared inconsistent, as he denied sexual attraction to children in some statements while also suggesting that his autism diagnosis should exempt him from responsibility.
Despite this, a probation officer characterized his account as implausible due to his known history of grooming behaviors.
The court proceedings revealed a pattern of manipulative and deceptive conduct.
Investigations into Fletcher’s phone uncovered messages in which he indicated that he would attend children’s football matches regardless of police actions.
His actions painted a disturbing picture of a man continually driven by a sexual attraction to minors, despite previous legal restrictions and ongoing efforts to prevent such encounters.
During sentencing, Recorder Ian Harris acknowledged Fletcher’s autism diagnosis but emphasized that it did not diminish his culpability.
He condemned Fletcher’s deliberate breaches and the potential risk posed to children.
The court details highlighted Fletcher’s calculated efforts to insert himself into children’s sporting activities, exploiting his referee training and familiarity with youth events.
Fletcher was ultimately sentenced to serve 16 months in prison.
The judge underscored that his manipulative behavior and ongoing criminal history demonstrated an enduring compulsive sexual interest in children, which could have led to serious harm if left unpunished.
The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of his actions and the ongoing threat posed by individuals who flout legal restrictions designed to protect minors in Cheshire.
