Football coach jailed for child sex offences in Wirral
34-year-old Daniel Connelly groomed a 13-year-old boy over two years
A 34-year-old man has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of child sex offences committed in Wirral.
Daniel Connelly was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday 18th February.
He was also given a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim or his mother and must sign the Sex Offender Register for life.
Groomed victim over two years
The court heard that Connelly, of East Parade in Rhyl and formerly from Birkenhead, groomed a 13-year-old boy over a two-year period from 2021 while working as a football manager.
He later progressed to engaging in sexual activity with the child.
Following a trial, Connelly was found guilty of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child aged 13 to 15, two counts of causing or inciting a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity involving penetration, and two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a boy aged 13 to 15.
Investigation and support for victims
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Atkinson said: “Connelly abused his position of trust and preyed on a vulnerable child and spent time grooming them over a long period before sexually abusing them when they were alone.
“The victim and his family have showed immense courage and bravery throughout the investigation to reach this conviction, and he is now behind bars to prevent further harm to anyone else.
“I would like to reassure everyone that we have carried out a thorough investigation into his contact with other children when he coached football and while working as a teacher at a primary school, and no other victims have come to light.”
Detective Chief Inspector Atkinson added: “I hope this sentencing encourages other victims to come forward and report sex offences to us, and they have confidence in us, as a police force, to take reports seriously where we will ensure offenders are put before the courts so that they can pay for their crimes.
“Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us.
“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports, and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.
“We urge anyone who is a victim of any form sexual abuse to please report this to police, as we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.
“We take all such reports extremely seriously, and in addition, work with partner organisations such as who are there to support victims of this crime.”
If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, support is available from the NSPCC by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing [email protected].
Sexual offences can also be reported anonymously via the Merseyside Police website.
In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Merseyside on 0151 558 1801.
In St Helens and Knowsley, support is available from the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.