Ex-soccer coach on sex charges
Thursday, 3rd February 2000.
A FORMER soccer coach has admitted sex crimes against young girls.
Roy Wheeler, 42, formerly of Haverhill and now living at St Michael's Mead, Bishop's Stortford, was committed to Bury St Edmunds Crown Court for sentence.
It emerged in court Wheeler has previous convictions. The latest offences took place while he was involved with Haverhill Rovers Football Club's female teams.
He admitted indecently assaulting one girl under 14, committing an act of gross indecency against the same girl, and indecently assaulting another girl. A forth indecency charge against him was withdrawn.
Philip Jones prosecuting, said because of Wheeler's previous convictions and the nature of the offences, the case should be sent to crown court for sentencing.
Another person involved in the teams had told the police she heard rumours that there was something not right about Wheeler's involvement.
Wheeler's bail was extended on condition that he does not enter Haverhill except to see his solicitor and visit his shop, SJs, on Queen Street, Haverhill.
He was also ordered to live in Bishop's Stortford and was banned from contacting witnesses.
Terry McGerty, chairmen of Haverhill Rovers, told the Weekly News after the hearing he was very upset by the case and feared the whole club would be tarred with the same brush.
He said Wheeler did manage a Haverhill Rovers female team but it was managed separately and not connected with the men's or youth teams.
"You just don't imagine this kind of thing can go on. I admire the bravery of the girls who came forward and their parents. You rely on the honesty of people running these teams," Mr McGerty said.
Roy Wheeler, 42, formerly of Haverhill and now living at St Michael's Mead, Bishop's Stortford, was committed to Bury St Edmunds Crown Court for sentence.
It emerged in court Wheeler has previous convictions. The latest offences took place while he was involved with Haverhill Rovers Football Club's female teams.
He admitted indecently assaulting one girl under 14, committing an act of gross indecency against the same girl, and indecently assaulting another girl. A forth indecency charge against him was withdrawn.
Philip Jones prosecuting, said because of Wheeler's previous convictions and the nature of the offences, the case should be sent to crown court for sentencing.
Another person involved in the teams had told the police she heard rumours that there was something not right about Wheeler's involvement.
Wheeler's bail was extended on condition that he does not enter Haverhill except to see his solicitor and visit his shop, SJs, on Queen Street, Haverhill.
He was also ordered to live in Bishop's Stortford and was banned from contacting witnesses.
Terry McGerty, chairmen of Haverhill Rovers, told the Weekly News after the hearing he was very upset by the case and feared the whole club would be tarred with the same brush.
He said Wheeler did manage a Haverhill Rovers female team but it was managed separately and not connected with the men's or youth teams.
"You just don't imagine this kind of thing can go on. I admire the bravery of the girls who came forward and their parents. You rely on the honesty of people running these teams," Mr McGerty said.
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