Football coach jailed for sexual assault

A former football coach who ran training sessions inSydenham and Penge has been jailed for two years for the sexual assault of a16-year-old boy and placed on the Sexual Offenders Register for 10 years.

Marlon Barnes, who's 41, wassentenced at the Old Bailey.

The court heard how the victim had attended a training session run by Barnes on 30 March at the Alexandra Recreation Ground in Penge. He had sustained a groin injury during training and Barnes used the injury as an excuse to sexually assault him.

Detective Constable Ivan Rydqvist of the Child Abuse Investigation Command said: "Marlon Barnes is a sexual predator who deliberately set about targeting youngsters and engaging them in football training sessions with a view to sexually exploiting them.

"I believe he may have committed other, similar offences and would urge anyone who believes that they may have been a victim to have the confidence to report the incident to the police. We are here to support and protect you."