Junior football coach sent pictures of his penis to boys on Snapchat


A junior football coach sent pictures of his penis to boys on Snapchat after grooming them at a junior football team.

John Smith, 22, abused his position when training young players for Venny Junior Football Club in Conleach Road, Speke.

He also worked at two local youth clubs – Ambrose Youth Base and Speke Community Centre – and at a McDonald’s restaurant.

Smith, of School Way, Speke, was also volunteer scout for Everton’s Academy.

He was suspended immediately by Everton when the allegations came to light, ceasing all association with the Premier League club.

Smith was found guilty of three counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child, after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

The jury heard the pervert sent the naked pictures via Snapchat, an app which has all messages automatically deleted after a short time.

The court heard he asked for naked pictures in return and questioned whether the children were gay and had feelings for him.

Peter Killen, prosecuting, said Smith, who previously played for Venny JFC, offered and undertook extra training with some of the victims.

His crimes were revealed ahead of a football match, when one victim saw Smith and asked another boy “what’s that nonce doing here?”

He told his teammate Smith had sent him “a picture of his d***” on SnapChat, at which point another boy said “he sent me one too”.

The team’s manager was informed and police were contacted, with officers video interviewing four boys about the allegations.

The first victim said Smith sent him a picture of him holding his penis, claimed he hadn’t meant to send it, but then quickly sent another.

He asked about the size of the child’s manhood, asked if he had feelings for him, then when the boy said he didn’t, replied “we can’t talk no more”.

The second victim, who described Smith as a coach and friend, said he offered him extra training and once hugged him until it became uncomfortable.

He said Smith messaged him late one night asking if he was naked, and, despite the boy saying he wasn’t gay, sent him a picture of himself in the bath.

Mr Killen said Smith asked him “show me your willy” and when the boy refused, replied “come on”, before the boy stopped replying to him.
The third victim said Smith contacted him in the early hours of the morning, asking “what are you getting up to in your bills [underwear]?” and if he’d had sex.

He recalled Smith then sent him around seven pictures showing his genitals, inside his boxer shorts, which left him feeling embarrassed.
A fourth boy, in relation to whom Smith was found not guilty, said he pestered him to do extra training, then one night messaged him on Snapchat.
The boy claimed Smith sent him a picture of his penis and when he asked him why, Smith replied “I don’t know”, before he blocked him.

When interviewed by police, Smith claimed he sent a picture of his genitals to the first victim by mistake, but denied sending any other photos.

He accused the children of lying and conspiring against him, claiming he sent one photo in error and that “everyone’s just jumped on the bandwagon”.

Judge Anil Murray, who said Smith “groomed” his victims, jailed him for 18 months and made a five-year restraining order.

The judge said he must sign on the Sex Offenders Register and comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a decade.

One victim’s dad said Smith had worked as a team leader at the McDonald’s at Mersey Retail Park in Speke Road, Speke.

Upset customers complained and Smith was then transferred to a restaurant in Huyton Hey Road, Huyton.

However, McDonald’s said it launched disciplinary proceedings and suspended Smith as soon as it became aware of the charges.

A spokesman said: “The employee in question resigned earlier this month. As soon as we were made aware of the charges we initiated disciplinary proceedings and suspended him pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

“He resigned before proceedings were concluded.”