HEREFORD FOOTBALL MANAGER STEPHEN WILD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING YOUNG PLAYERS

In July 2015, Stephen Wild, a former football manager based in Hereford, was subjected to a court ruling following serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor. Wild, who resided on Hunderton Road in Hereford, was found to have engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior towards a young player under his supervision.

The case was brought to light after the victim, a 17-year-old boy, came forward with disturbing accounts of Wild’s conduct. The young player had initially expressed interest in joining Wild’s football team at the beginning of 2013. Wild, then managing a local team, responded positively to the boy’s enthusiasm and invited him to participate in training sessions. During these sessions, Wild’s inappropriate behavior became evident.

According to the prosecution, Samantha Forsyth, Wild’s actions included touching the boy on his bottom as he was tying his shoelaces before a match. This incident marked the beginning of a pattern of grooming behavior. Wild also sent the young player messages via text and Facebook, suggesting that they should shower together naked, implying that both should shed their clothes to act like men. Forsyth emphasized that these messages demonstrated a clear pattern of grooming, exploiting the trust placed in Wild as a team manager.

After the boy joined the team, Wild’s misconduct continued. On one occasion, as the boy was preparing for a game by tying his laces, Wild touched his bottom again. The victim later confided in his parents about the incidents, prompting an investigation. During this inquiry, authorities uncovered that Wild had also sent messages to other players, encouraging them to shower together, further illustrating his abuse of authority and grooming tactics.

Wild’s position as a manager carried significant responsibility, Forsyth pointed out, noting that the players looked up to him and respected his authority. His actions represented a gross abuse of this trust. The court heard that Wild’s misconduct was not limited to the initial incident but was part of a broader pattern of inappropriate behavior.

Following the investigation, Wild was charged and pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault. The court proceedings revealed that Wild’s conduct was not merely a fleeting or minor incident but a calculated abuse of his position. Judge Michael Cullum remarked that the sexual activity was not a joke or accidental contact on the football pitch but a deliberate act accompanied by flirtatious messages and threats to the boy’s participation in the team.

As part of his sentence, Wild was ordered to participate in a 36-month sex offenders group work program, which would be supervised by probation services. Additionally, he was required to register as a sex offender for a period of five years, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the need for ongoing monitoring to protect the community.