Lee Swain, former chairman and coach of Goldsworth Park Rangers FC, has been spared jail time after being found guilty of attempting to meet up with an undercover officer who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. The 55-year-old Swain was charged with attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming and for being an adult attempting to meet a girl under 16.
Prosecutor Keely Harvey stated that Swain was in contact with an undercover officer using the alias ‘Lily,’ who clearly stated she was only 13 years old. Despite knowing her age, Swain expressed his desire to engage in inappropriate acts with the young girl, even going as far as driving to meet her with her favorite food in the car.
He pleaded guilty to both charges at Southampton Magistrates’ Court. The Court heard how Swain revealed to the police that he had engaged in similar conversations with girls aged 14 and 16 in the past. He had also attempted to invite them to participate in lingerie photoshoots, although no one agreed to his requests.
Swain’s defence lawyer, Rebecca McKnight, shared that her client acknowledged the need for rehabilitation and expressed remorse for his actions. She indicated that the presence of a tumour on his pituitary gland had affected him sexually, contributing to his poor physical and mental health. She argued that Swain was committed to seeking help to prevent a recurrence of such behaviour.
Despite acknowledging Swain’s lack of prior convictions, Judge Peter Henry described the offence as “very serious” and “extraordinarily unpleasant,” emphasizing that mental health issues and boredom could not excuse Swain’s reprehensible conduct. He handed down a ten-month suspended sentence over two years, along with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years, unpaid work, a hefty fine, and mandatory participation in rehabilitation programs.
As part of his sentence, Swain will be closely supervised in the community for the next two years and must adhere to the specified requirements. Failure to comply with these conditions could result in a ten-month prison term.
Additionally, the coach has been blacklisted by the Football Association and may face further consequences from Goldsworth Park Rangers and Surrey FA, who declined to provide comments when approached for a response.
The lenient punishment given to Swain has elicited mixed reactions from the public, raising concerns about the protection of minors and the effectiveness of the judicial system in addressing such serious offences. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and comprehensive measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals from potential harm.
The battle against online predators and grooming remains an ongoing challenge, highlighting the importance of education, vigilant monitoring, and decisive legal action to protect young people from harm in both physical and digital environments. These efforts are crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities and future generations.
As the matter unfolds, it is imperative that appropriate actions are taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, emphasize accountability, and reinforce the significance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitation and harm.