Ex-teacher and coach jailed for abusing boys

John Staveley was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely

A former football coach and primary school teacher has been jailed for nine-and-a-half years for historical sexual offences against two boys.

John Staveley, 55, from Doncaster, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on 27 September for 12 offences over the course of a decade from the late 1990s.

The officer in charge of the case, Det Con Mike Tilley, commended the survivors for coming forward and sharing their “harrowing and horrific experiences as children”.

"Staveley abused his position as a mentor and guide to young children in sports and educational settings,” he said. “Without their accounts, Staveley wouldn't be behind bars and where he belongs.”

Staveley, of Hale Hill Lane, Doncaster, pleaded not guilty to 12 offences but was found guilty on all counts after a week-long trial.

The charges comprised nine counts of gross indecency with a boy under 14, two counts of indecent assault on a boy under the age of 16 and one count of causing or inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

'Never too late'

Staveley met his first victim through his role as a football coach.

The boy reported his attacker's crimes to the NSPCC in 2020, leading to Staveley's arrest and a police investigation.

The second victim was sexually abused during a school trip, when Staveley was working as a primary school teacher.

Det Con Tilley said: "He should have been someone his victims were able to trust, but instead he exploited them, took advantage of them and abused them for his own sexual gratification.

"I hope this case shows that it really is never too late to report sexual abuse."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.