NEWCASTLE are the latest club to be dragged into the harrowing reports of a prolific paedophile ring operating in English football after a former player came forward to discuss his heart-breaking plight at the hands of a convicted beast.
Following the brave decision by ex-Crewe Alexandra defender Andy Woodward to waive his right to anonymity in the Guardian – to reveal the sickening accounts of the sexual abuse endured from Barry Bennell – and the subsequent revelations from Steve Walters, Paul Stewart and David White, a former Toon player has spoken out.
The ex-St James’ Park player has named George Ormond – convicted of abusing boys from the club’s youth system over a 24-year period in 2002 – as his attacker.
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At Newcastle crown court in 2002 when Ormond was imprisoned, he was branded a “predatory abuser” by the judge and now – following on from the courage of Woodward and the other victims – another of his targets has come forward but maintained their right to anonymity.
A spokesman for Northumbria Police told the Guardian: “We have received a report in relation to an allegation of historic [sic] sexual offences in Newcastle.
“We are working closely with, and supporting, the victim and enquiries are ongoing.”
When the vile brute was convicted of 12 indecent assaults and one attempted indecent assault – after denying 15 charges of indecent assault on seven boys, five of whom were under the age of 16, between 1975 and 1999 – judge Esmond Faulks said: “The evidence demonstrates you were a predatory abuser of young boys.
“You used your position as a football coach to target vulnerable young children.
“You ingratiated yourself with their parents and prevented disclosure by the power you wielded over them as their coach.”
When Ormond was sentenced, 14 years ago, a spokeswoman for Newcastle United said: "The club, together with other local football organisations, has been working closely with Northumbria Police in support of this investigation.
"Criminal proceedings have now commenced and consequently Northumbria Police have asked that no further comment be made by the club in relation to his matter."
A new NSPCC hotline for footballers, opened with the support of the Football Association, received more than 50 calls in the first two hours.
- The NSPCC’s hotline is 0800 023 2642 and Child Line for children and young people can be contacted on 0800 1111.
- NAPAC, the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, can be contacted on 0808 801 0331.
- In the UK, The Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14.
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