Under-age sex shame of golf captain

Date published: 30 January 2015


A FORMER captain of Saddleworth Golf Club has been jailed for six years for sexual offences involving under-age girls.

Garage boss Timothy Edwards (57) groomed one 14-year old after contacting her on an online chat site and persuaded her to have unprotected sex with him at her home after school.

Edwards, of Walkmill, Dobcross, who sought solace in his interest in youngsters after his marriage soured, was caught after the teenager confided in an older friend who told her parents.

Edwards’ computer revealed internet searches for underage girls, pictures, and online chats involving two youngsters.

Edwards asked a 15-year old if she was a virgin, and after being told she was, he asked: “Would you like to change that?”

Sentencing him, Mr Recorder Stuart Driver told him: “There is no doubt your offending is so serious it has to be met with immediate custody.”

Edwards, a father of two sons, pleaded guilty to three offences of sexual activity with a child.

Mr Driver said: “You groomed her, encouraged her to meet you, then indulged in three serious forms of sexual activity with her, including unprotected sex.”

Barrie Darby prosecuting, said the garage boss had begun communicating with the girl on Facebook when she was 13.

Mr Darby said her profile clearly shown her age, but he continued to chat to her online and then on video. He encouraged her to meet in person and when she let him into her home they began kissing in the hall, then had sex.

Mr Darby said Edwards faced a further six charges as a result of the examination of his computer.

He pleaded to inciting an under-age girl to engage in sexual activity, and five offences involving indecent photographs of a child.

Tina Landale, defending, said Edwards had lost his home and business, and had been totally disgraced as a result of what he had done.

Edwards is now also subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.