Karate champion jailed for abusing teenagers

The judge said Sherry abused his position

A karate champion who sexually assaulted teenagers has been jailed for two years.

Andrew Sherry was convicted in March of indecently assaulting a boy under the age of 16 in the mid-1980s, and of four counts of sexual assault on an older teenager in 2011 or 2012.

The 80-year-old, from Liverpool, retired in March 2022 when a police investigation was launched.

Sentencing Judge David Swinnerton said he had been "lauded" while his victims "suffered".

'Sporting prowess'

He said although Sherry, of Mann Island, Liverpool, who had no previous convictions, was a positive influence on many young people, it was clear his interest in young men went beyond an interest in their "sporting prowess".

The judge added: "It is perhaps a tragedy for you, your karate club and those who will be impacted, but particularly for your victims, that you were unable to exercise the discipline and self control which I understand is central to karate when it came to your sexuality."

Sherry, a ninth dan black belt, founded the Red Triangle karate club in Everton, and was a founder member of the Karate Union of Great Britain.

His defence team claimed the allegations were the result of a conspiracy by other practitioners who wanted to "overthrow their leader".

The court heard Sherry had assaulted one boy in the mid-1980s and asked him to perform "special favours".

The boy said Sherry wrestled with him while at his bungalow in West Derby, Liverpool, before taking him to Knowsley Safari Park where he spoke about monkeys having sex.

Jurors heard the complainant had since struggled with alcohol and gone on to commit criminal offences.

The judge told Sherry: "You had an impact on him psychologically which has had lasting echoes on him throughout his life."

The second complainant, who was 18 at the time of the assaults, said Sherry massaged him on the buttocks and kissed him on the lips on more than one occasion.

'Abuse of trust'

Andrew Ford KC, prosecuting, told the court the victim said Sherry made him think "he had a real shot at becoming something special".

He added: "His life became one of confusion, betrayal, distrust and worry about how he would be touched."

Two other men, whom Sherry was not charged with assaulting, claimed he propositioned them in the 1990s.

The judge said: "This is an abuse of trust, undoubtedly.

"You were their mentor, their teacher, their idol and you abused that position and groomed them."

Tania Griffiths KC, defending, told the court it was not accepted that the life of the first victim was "ruined by alcoholism caused by any abuse".

She said an impact statement from the second complainant was "exaggerated".

Sherry is planning to appeal against the convictions.

Ms Griffiths said: "He has lost everything by these convictions.

"He's lost his good name, lost his reputation and lost his world standing."

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