In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Ronald Webb, then 75, of Bath, Somerset, was convicted of the attempted rape of a 13-year-old boy following a trial at Bristol Crown Court. A jury took just over 90 minutes to find the former self-proclaimed football coach guilty of attempted buggery. It was reported that the attack took place in 1986, after Webb used the promise of a new football team to groom the talented young player and his friends.
The investigation established that Webb used his position as a “coach” to gain access to the victim. Avon and Somerset Police reported that Webb first approached the boy and his friends in a park, claiming he was starting a league team. The prosecution reported that in 1986, during a school lunch break, Webb invited a group of boys to his home, where he showed them a pornographic film before following the 13-year-old into the bathroom and forcing him against a cistern with his clothing undone.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Webb’s knowledge of football was a facade used to facilitate his predatory interests. Bristol Crown Court heard how the victim, now an adult, realised Webb likely had no real interest or skill in the sport and simply wanted to “hang around” with young boys. The investigation established that the victim only managed to escape the bathroom when Webb was distracted by the other children shouting as they left the property. The victim told detectives that he was in no doubt about the sexual intent of the attacker.
The Trial Judge noted the calculated nature of the grooming, which began in a public park and moved to a private residence. For his actions in Bath, Webb was convicted of a serious historic sexual offence that had impacted the victim for over three decades. The judge noted that the courage of the survivor in coming forward allowed the police to finally hold the 75-year-old accountable for the trauma he inflicted in the mid-1980s.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Ronald Webb is as follows:
- Legal Status: Convicted of attempted buggery (2019).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated for life.
- Judicial Oversight: Convicted at Bristol Crown Court following an Avon and Somerset Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Attempted buggery of a child.
- Origin: Bath, Somerset.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Webb is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by the police and the National Probation Service in Somerset. Due to the predatory nature of his conduct in Bath and his use of “coaching” as a grooming tool, his management is subject to intensive scrutiny. Authorities state that his lifelong inclusion on the Sex Offenders Register is a vital safeguard to ensure he has no further involvement with youth sports or unsupervised access to children.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register for life, Webb must comply with all notification requirements regarding his identity and residence. Authorities state that his history of attempted child rape in Somerset necessitates permanent vigilance. Any future attempt to approach children, visit parks, or engage in inappropriate behaviour in Bath, Bristol, or elsewhere will result in immediate arrest and a return to the court system for a significant period of incarceration.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.