Thurrock Yacht Club coach convicted of child sexual abuse

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An Essex man in his 60s has been convicted of sexually abusing a child.

John Darby, 66, of Thames Road, Grays, Essex, was found guilty of 14 sexual offences at Basildon Crown Court on Friday.

Essex Police revealed that Darby began abusing his victim when she was just eight years old, during his time working at a Thurrock Yacht Club where he taught children how to sail.

After his arrest, Darby denied the allegations during a police interview, according to a police spokesperson.

Darby faced charges of 12 counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, one count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of attempted assault of a child under 13 by penetration.

The trial commenced on 6 August, and Darby, now 66, is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday.

Detective Inspector Emma Portfleet condemned Darby’s actions, saying:

“The trauma that Darby has inflicted on this victim is appalling. Even when given the chance, he refused to plead guilty, forcing the victim and witnesses to endure a trial.

“In addition to the horrific experience the victim endured, she has spent years reliving the abuse she suffered as a child.”

Essex Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team has commended the “tenacity and strength” of the young girl after Darby was found guilty of all 14 charges against her.

In 2017, the victim courageously came forward to report the abuse she endured for several years at the hands of Darby.

Following his denial of the charges, Darby was formally charged with 12 counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, one count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of attempted assault of a child under 13 by penetration.

The jury at Basildon Crown Court reached a verdict in less than two hours, finding Darby guilty on all counts.

He is set to be sentenced at the same court on Thursday, 15 August.

Detective Inspector Portfleet praised the victim’s bravery, saying:

“The courage, tenacity, and patience of this victim in seeking justice against a dangerous man is commendable. While his conviction cannot undo the harm he has caused, I hope it allows the victim to begin moving forward.

“Our Crime and Public Protection team will continue to ensure that offenders like Darby are held accountable for their crimes. Regardless of when an offence occurred, we are committed to investigating and supporting victims throughout the process.”

Sexual abuse claims

If yourself or your child has been a victim of sexual abuse, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

Sports clubs and organisations should be safe, happy, places where children and young people can learn and develop a new skill and form positive relationships with coaches and peers.

However, unfortunately, abuse in these type of settings is not uncommon. While the general public have increased awareness about abuse and those working with children are subject to more vigorous safeguarding checks than they were in the past, abuse still happens.

There are also many people who have still not come forward to report abuse that happened to them years prior.

What compensation can I claim for?

At Oakwood Solicitors Ltd, we can help you claim compensation:

General damages – An award of money for the abuse/assaults themselves and for the pain, suffering and any psychological effects.
Special damages – An award for any specific financial losses we can prove, such as loss of earnings or the cost(s) of any treatment or counselling.
Aggravated damages – An additional award of money in certain cases where the court considers that there has been additional distress caused by the manner in which the abuse occurred.

Who can make a sexual abuse claim?

If you suffered sexual or physical abuse or assault, you may be able to claim damages in the form of monetary compensation. It does not matter if the abuse occurred many years ago.

If the person who suffered abuse is under 18, the claim can be brought by a parent or close relative.

I have reported the abuse to the police but they were unable to prosecute. Can I still claim?

The criminal process is different to the civil claims process. There are different evidential burdens in both processes, so just because the police did not take your complaint any further, it does not mean that you cannot pursue a civil claim.

The police may still have evidence that will support your civil claim, even if it was not enough for a criminal prosecution.

Why choose Oakwood Solicitors Ltd?

At Oakwood Solicitors, we have dedicated lawyers with over 20 years of experience, acting for survivors of sexual and physical abuse.

We understand how difficult it can be to bring a claim, and we are committed to dealing with your case in a sensitive way.

You will have a dedicated solicitor who will deal with your claim from start to finish, and who will be able to speak to you at times convenient to you – even if this is outside our normal office hours.