Daniel Connelly groomed his victim for two years
Daniel Connelly groomed his victim for two years
A former football manager who sexually abused a 13-year-old boy has been sentenced. Daniel Connelly, 34, committed the sex offences while he was a football manager where he groomed his victim over a two-year period from 2021.
Connelly, of East Parade in Rhyl but formerly from Birkenhead, was found guilty of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, two counts of causing/inciting a boy to engage in sexual activity and two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a boy.
At Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, February 18, Connelly was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was also issued with a restraining order not to contact the victim and his mum, and required to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.
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.”
The detective added that Merseyside Police will take all reports of sexual abuse extremely seriously. He said: “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, the following organisations can also provide help and support:
- NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail [email protected].
- Childline – call 0800 1111
Merseyside Police says that, if you have been affected by sexual violence of any kind, do not be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve.
You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences anonymously here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/
There is support available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities.
In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
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