In 2016, the Offender Database reported that James Hunter, then in his early 30s, of Scarborough, was sentenced at York Crown Court. The disgraced football coach and former chairman of Scarborough Ladies Football Club was jailed for four years after admitting to the sexual assault of a schoolgirl.
The court heard that Hunter targeted the victim over two months, initially grooming her via Snapchat. During their digital correspondence, Hunter sent the child naked photographs of himself. The grooming escalated into physical meetings, with Hunter driving the girl to a secluded area near Scarborough on three separate occasions. Inside his vehicle, he engaged in sexual activity and kissed the victim. Hunter’s position as a prominent figure in local youth sports was highlighted as a significant breach of trust.
Following his arrest by North Yorkshire Police, James Hunter pleaded guilty to the offences. During the sentencing hearing in 2016, the court detailed the devastating impact his actions had on the victim and the local sporting community. Hunter was stripped of his roles within the football club and received a four-year custodial sentence.
In 2019, it was reported that James Hunter had been released from prison. As a result of his convictions, Hunter remains subject to lifelong notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register. He was also issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which runs indefinitely. This order strictly monitors his internet usage, specifically his use of messaging services. It prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with children or returning to roles involving the coaching or management of minors.
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