Jail for perverted football coach

A former Enfield football club owner who sexually abused a young academy pupil has been jailed for 16 months.

Daniel Moss, 32, was the Director of a Football Education Programme at the Lea Valley Academy when he preyed on the girl who ‘put him on a pedestal.’

Moss set up the programme, but took part in the coaching of the football and mentoring of the students.

He had known the girl for several years and began having sex with her when she turned 16.

Moss manipulated the victim and told her to keep their relationship a secret.

He was arrested when concerned friends of the victim brought the abuse to the attention of school staff.

Detective Sergeant Virginia Condren of the North Area Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: ‘The evidence against Moss proved he took advantage of a young girl and her family’s trust.

‘She had put him up on a pedestal and her vulnerabilities meant he was able to isolate her and make her depend on him.

‘He has deceived and devastated those closest to him, those who looked up to him and trusted him.

‘He was deemed to be trustworthy by those who worked with him and as such he was able to get away with his criminal behaviour.

‘It was the victim’s friends who became concerned and they were particularly brave in bringing the matter to the attention of the authorities.

‘It is of great relief that Moss will no longer work with children.

‘The victim has been supported by her family, friends and police throughout and I know this sentence has been a great relief. Her courage has been phenomenal.

Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh of the North Area Public Protection Unit, said:

‘Many of those who suffer at the hands of those in a position of trust are too frightened or manipulated to bring their abuse to the notice of authorities.

‘If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse, or if you have any information about an offender, please contact police or a responsible person. You will be given every possible support by specially trained officers.’

Moss, of Dacres Gate, Ongar, Essex, admitted two charges of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

The offences took place between October 2017 to November 2018.

Moss was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years and has been barred from working with children under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.