Liverpool karate champion propositioned teenage boys, court hears

Andy Sherry is accused of taking advantage of his position as a karate champion and teacher

A renowned British karate champion and teacher has gone on trial accused of historical sex offences.

Andy Sherry is accused of taking advantage of his position to proposition a teenage boy and kiss and massage another student, a court heard.

The 80-year-old was chairman and chief instructor for the Karate Union of Great Britain for almost 50 years.

Mr Sherry denies two counts of indecency with a child under the age of 14 and four counts of sexual assault.

It is alleged Mr Sherry, of Liverpool, carried out the offences at his then home in West Derby and at the Red Triangle Karate Club, which he co-founded.

Opening the case on Monday, Andrew Ford KC, prosecuting, said Sherry achieved "prominence and standing" in the sport before retiring as an instructor in March 2022 after a police investigation was launched.

He told the jury: "The prosecution say he abused this power and the position that he had to take sexual advantage over younger males who were in his charge."

The prosecution said in the 1980s Mr Sherry asked a boy under 14 years old to carry out a sex act on him.

It is also claimed in 2012 he massaged and kissed an 18-year-old.

The jury of seven women and five men heard claims that Mr Sherry propositioned other teenage boys for sex, often during journeys to national competitions.

His barrister, Tania Griffiths KC, told the jury the claims were a conspiracy by jealous opponents to overthrow their leader to cash in on lucrative teaching and grading work.

The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.