Beast who left lives in ruins

JAILED . . . perverted Ken Hughes

Sickening abuse of boys revealed as soccer chief jailed

A TRUSTED football boss has been jailed indefinitely after sexually abusing young boys over four decades.

Ken Hughes (65) — the founder and chairman of non-league Oldham Town FC — admitted 39 offences against 12 victims from 1967 to last September.

He lured his victims, aged from seven to 15, with alcohol, cigarettes and cash and would take them on holidays, including fishing trips to the Norfolk Broads, where he would abuse them.

The charges were specimen counts with Hughes abusing boys hundreds of times — and there have been appeals for more victims to come forward.

Police missed an opportunity to halt Hughes’s crimes when one victim reported the abuse in 1997. The paedophile was arrested and interviewed but lied, claiming the allegations were untrue. Owing to a lack of corroboration he was not prosecuted and, undeterred, he went on to sexually assault another seven boys.

Hughes, of Whitebank Road, Limeside, lived in a flat at the football ground where he took advantage of aspiring young footballers.

Some boys came from poor homes and became financially dependent on him.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard sickening details as victims‚ and relatives wept. Hughes covered his face with his hand throughout the three-hour hearing.

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Mort said Hughes would serve a minimum of seven years in prison but is likely to serve substantially more. He warned there’s a significant risk Hughes will reoffend, so he will only be released when no longer deemed a danger to the public.

He told Hughes: “You were a manipulative and ruthless paedophile.

“The boys were allowed into your care as the parents trusted you. You took them on holidays and ruthlessly groomed them before sexually abusing them. You abused their trust horribly.”

Hughes pleaded guilty to 21 indecent assaults, six charges of indecency with a child, four of paying for the sexual services of a child, three of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, three of sexual activity with a child, one of inciting a child to commit a sex act and one of incitement to commit indecency.

Alaric Bassano, prosecuting, said the offending was prolific with victims abused on numerous occasions and some suffering serious psychological harm.

He added: “There was significant planning and grooming. Most of the victims were lured and encouraged with gifts, holidays, free food, cigarettes and drink.

“Most corrupting of all were payments of cash for sexual services rendered.”

Paul McDonald, defending, said Hughes was genuinely remorseful. He had deep-seated shame and distress for what he had done and expressed regret but did not expect forgiveness.

The club has changed its name to Oldham Boro and stressed officials were unaware of what was happening and are disgusted by the crimes.