A predatory golf club captain from Oldham has been jailed after he groomed a 13-year-old girl on Facebook before having sex with her.
Timothy Edwards, who was captain of the prestigious Saddleworth Golf Club in Greater Manchester, was found to have explicit images of children on his home computer when he was arrested by police.
Officers said the 57-year-old from Oldham, who owns a car repair business, ‘actively pursued his victim because of her young age and sexually abused her’.
At Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Edwards was jailed for six years and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.
He had been found guilty after a trial of four counts of sexual activity with a child, five counts of making and possessing indecent photographs, and one count of attempting to incite sexual activity with a child.
Edwards was the golf club captain, which he had been a member of since he was a boy, in the 2012-13 season. He followed in the footsteps of his late father Trevor, who was captain there in 1983.
Police said that in February 2013 Edwards met his victim, who was 13-years-old at the time, online via Facebook, and began chatting to her.
He asked her to send him explicit pictures and videos, but she refused and after messaging each other further, Edwards persuaded his victim to meet with him in early December 2013. He went to her house, where he had sex with her.
After his arrest in January last year police seized his computers and, after forensic examination, discovered 15 indecent images of children.
Detective Sergeant Lindsey Curry of Oldham Division said: “Edwards actively pursued his victim because of her young age and sexually abused her.
“The girl was very brave to speak to police and disclose these crimes and I would like to commend her for that, as coming forward and disclosing the assaults that he committed against her must have been extremely hard.
“I would urge anyone who believes they may have been a victim of sexual abuse to come forward and talk to police.
“I hope this case sends out a strong message to those who target young girls and abuse them that we will track you down and bring you before the courts.”
Any child or young person wanting help and advice can contact Childline on 0800 1111.
Story via Cavendish Press.
