5 days ago
County cricket coach banned for sending pictures of his genitals to female colleague
A county coach has been banned from cricket for nine months for inappropriate sexual behaviour, including sending three pictures of his genitals to a more junior colleague.
The Cricket Regulator announced on Wednesday morning that the independent Cricket Discipline Panel (CDP) had banned the unnamed coach for nine months – three of them suspended – and ordered him to complete an education course after he was found guilty of misconduct.
The CDP is regularly choosing not to name those it finds guilty, and on this occasion its statement said: 'Due to exceptional circumstances regarding the health of that coach and the serious risk of harm identified if his name was to be published, his name has been redacted.'
The full judgement revealed the coach had 'two separate victims in the summer of 2023 and early 2024'. He was found guilty of sending a photo of his penis as well as attempting to kiss a junior member of staff.
It said: 'He engaged in inappropriate and sexualised messaging, including sending images of his erect penis, to more junior female members of staff at a CCC [county cricket club]. On one occasion he attempted to kiss one of the more junior members of staff.'
It added that his second victim was 'much younger than the Respondent and he occupied a far more senior position than she did at a CCC', adding that she 'had to interact with the Respondent because of her work'.
He sent her a picture of his erect penis, which she did not respond to. 'A few days later the Respondent sent two further pictures of his erect penis,' read the judgement.
It continued: 'The Respondent asked Victim 2 to check the changing rooms to see if any rubbish was left. Whilst in the changing room the Respondent made an inappropriate attempt to kiss Victim 2, who pulled away.'
The first victim, according to the judgement, had a 'particular vulnerability' that the coach knew about. He sent her 'inappropriate and sexualised messaging', including 'a photo of his erect penis under clothing'. She asked him to stop, but he sent 'a further message of a sexualised and inappropriate nature' a few days later.
Summing up, the judgement read: 'There was a clear imbalance in his favour given his superior employment position and because of his age. The conduct admitted by the Respondent has no place in modern society and no place in the cricket environment. Women who participate in cricket in any way must be able to do so in a safe and inclusive environment.'
The coach has been dismissed by the county because of his conduct and has not worked in cricket since. He has received support from the Professional Cricketers Association, including seeing a psychotherapist for many months.
It is understood that this case is entirely separate from the one involving a different – also unnamed – county coach, who was banned for six months last November for 'inappropriate sexual behaviour' involving a player in his team.
The managing director of The Cricket Regulator Chris Haward, a former chief constable, said: 'removing sexual misconduct from the game is a priority for the Cricket Regulator'.
