Ex football coach has been jailed for child sex offences committed more than 40 years ago in Windermere

A former football coach has been jailed for 13 years for sexual assaults against a child in the 1970s and 80s.

Anthony Pickering, 62, who is currently in prison after being convicted of similar offences in 2018, was sentenced today (September 27) at Carlisle Crown Court.

He was also placed on the Sex Offender Register for life.

Pickering was convicted by a jury in April 2024 for attempt rape and two counts of indecent assault against a single male victim, who was a boy at the time.

The assaults were committed while Pickering was a football coach at a youth football team based in the Windermere area.

Pickering’s further offending came to light after his victim saw a newspaper article in 2020 covering his other convictions.

A spokesperson from Cumbria Police said: “I would like to thank the victim for their bravery in coming forward and I hope today’s sentencing can bring some form of closure after all these years.

“Pickering abused his position as a youth football coach and should have been someone his victims were able to trust. Instead, he took advantage of many young boys supposedly in his care.

“I hope that this case shows that it is never too late to report sexual abuse – no matter how long ago it was, we will listen to you.

“Cumbria Police will do everything we can to investigate reports, support victims and bring perpetrators to justice.”

If you wish to report a crime or speak to an officer about an incident, please contact Cumbria Police on 101 or via our website www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.