Ex-footballer ‘sexually abused 4 boys’ as ‘scared youngster felt trapped in automotive’
A former footballer accused of sexually abusing four boys and raping one of them while working as a coach told police they were ‘malicious’ lies aiming to ruin his career
(Image: Josh Bolton / Newsquest / SWNS)
An ex-footballer is on trial accused of using his position as a coach to sexually abuse boys and to allegedly rape one victim.
Jack Parkinson, 36, played for Welling United, Woking, Maidstone United and Dover Athletic during his semi-professional career. He also held numerous youth coaching positions across south east London and Kent alongside playing.
A jury at Woolwich Crown Court this week heard allegations that Parkinson abused four boys in the 2010s while he was coaching. Opening the case, prosecutor David Smith said: “To summarise these allegations in a nutshell, the prosecution allege that Mr Parkinson used his position as a football coach to abuse boys he was responsible for training.”
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Parkinson, from Petts Wood, southeast London, denies rape, sexual assault, three charges of sexual activity with a child, and five charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Among the allegations were that he used the guise of practising physiotherapy in an attempt to sexually touch the boys.
Mr Smith told the jury that Parkinson touched one boy after telling him he couldn’t carry out a proper examination without the boy having an erection. The barrister said a different boy said that, while in a car with Parkinson, he was pressured into kissing and engaging in sexual activity.
“The defendant put a lot of pressure on him to agree, telling him that everyone has kissed a man before and it was perfectly normal,” Mr Smith said. “He felt trapped in the car and was so scared that he agreed, though reluctant acquiescence is not consent.”
Parkinson was interviewed by Kent Police shortly after the alleged abuse of one of the boys, but the force decided not to bring any charges.
The same complainant approached the Met Police in 2019 and in the course of their investigation they took statements from three other boys, who made their own allegations.
In his 2019 police interview, Parkinson issued a prepared statement stating the allegations were untrue and he believed they were “malicious” complaints made with the intent of ruining his career.
Mr Smith asked the jury to reject Parkinson’s claim and conclude that the allegations were “born out of the fact that the offences described took place”.
The trial continues.
