A teenage gym coach who had developed a bizarre foot fetish shut a girl in the boot of his car and offered another 50p to let him tickle and lick her feet.
Luke Griffin, 20, locked one girl in the boot of his car
Luke Griffin, who worked as a coach at a Cardiff gymnastics club, admitted a string of sexual offences relating to vulnerable primary school children, who were all aged under 12.
Sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Patrick Curran QC described the offending as “the grossest breach of trust”.
The court heard Griffin started working as a gymnastics coach when he was 17.
Prosecutor Caroline Rees said he was initially well-respected by parents and other coaches.
She said: “People put their young, vulnerable children in the care of this defendant because they thought well of him and he knew that.”
Eight victims
The court heard there were eight victims, both boys and girls, who were all at primary school and aged under 12.
Ms Rees said there was “deliberate and sophisticated” targeting of individuals he judged vulnerable and those he thought he could manipulate.
The court heard one girl was tied up in the boot of his car and he sexually abused her by tickling and licking her feet.
She told officers he “had a thing” about her feet and used a hairbrush to tickle them.
The prosecutor said the girl was “terrified” and her vulnerability was highlighted when she had to use colouring pencils to explain to officers what had happened.
The victim told police: “I felt scared because he said he would beat my mummy up.
“He said he could kidnap one of my family. I was scared because I thought he might come to my house and take me in the night.”
Phone footage
The court heard Griffin took photographs and videos of many of the incidents on his phone – images that were later found by police.
Prosecutors said he picked another child up but parked in a secluded car park, before brushing, tickling and biting her feet.
He told her not to tell, but she confided in her mother and a police investigation was launched.
Another girl told police the defendant put her feet in his mouth and told her not to tell anyone.
A further child told officers Griffin promised to pay her 50p or £1 if she would let him tickle her feet and asked her to pose her feet for photographs.
One victim said the coach gripped her and used force to restrain her while licking her feet, telling her: “This is our secret.”
Another girl said she had “played along” when she let him lick her toes because she was scared to say she did not like it.
When the allegations were put to Griffin by police, he suggested words had been put into the children’s mouths.
'Profound, long-lasting effect'
Ms Rees said: “It is the prosecution case that this defendant was in a position of significant trust as a coach to young gymnasts.
“Each of the parents is rightly devastated by the significant breach of trust in this case. The effect has been profound and will be long-lasting.”
Andrew Taylor, defending, said his client had developed a foot fetish while he was at school.
He accepted Griffin had treated the children as a “play thing for his sexual fantasy”.
The defence barrister said: “He wishes to apologise to everyone affected by his conduct.”
He argued the defendant had shown remorse through his guilty pleas and described his arrest as “a wake-up call.”
After he was read the victim impact statements, Griffin told police: “It has hurt me to read how I have hurt others. I have been stupid and it is not going to happen again.”
Mr Taylor described his client as “immature” and “naive”, suggesting he had not realised how serious his offending was.
He stressed the defendant had no previous convictions or cautions and told the court he was a talented gymnast who had always dreamed of coaching the sport.
'Abused a position of trust'
More than 25 people packed into the public gallery for the hearing, with more lining the corridor outside.
Griffin, 20, pleaded guilty to a total of 14 counts, including sexual assault on children under 13 and one of false imprisonment. The other counts were ordered to lie on file.
Judge Curran said: “Each child and each parent has been profoundly affected. It is perfectly plain that there has been long-standing distress from what you have done.”
Griffin was sentenced to six years in a young offender institution and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was made.
Speaking after the sentencing Wendy Brady, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Cymru-Wales Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said: “I hope that today’s sentencing will be of some comfort to his young victims as well as their families, who continue to support them in dealing with the effects of Griffin’s actions.”
South Wales Police: 'Dangerous offender brought to justice'
Detective Sergeant Annalisa Bartley, said: “As a result of today’s proceedings, a dangerous and manipulative sex offender has been brought to justice.
“Today’s sentence is the result of a lot of hard work from a number of agencies, so today I speak on behalf of them all, in commending all of the families affected by Griffin’s crimes, for their outstanding support during what has been such a difficult time for them.
“They have been on a harrowing journey, having to listen to and try to come to terms with what their children have been though. But, they have conducted themselves with utmost dignity and self-discipline.
“Most of all, we must focus on the child victims in this case. Despite being so young and often very frightened, they have shown remarkable bravery in coming forward and giving their evidence. It is because of their courage that Luke Griffin is behind bars today.”
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/teen-gym-coach-locked-up-11961694
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