An English Football League assistant referee has been sentenced to prison for multiple child sexual abuse offences involving teenage girls. Gareth Viccars, 47, from Oldbrook, Milton Keynes, was found guilty of 16 charges related to his predatory behavior towards young females.
Background on Gareth Viccars
Gareth Viccars, who worked as an assistant referee, pleaded guilty to charges including:
- Sexual communications with a child
- Meeting with a child following sexual grooming
- Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- Engaging in sexual activity with a child
The offences occurred over a three-year period from November 2021 to October 2024, involving three girls who were 15 years old.
Sentencing Details
On Thursday, Viccars received a sentence of 13-and-a-half years, followed by an additional three-and-a-half years on an extended license. Judge Caroline English emphasized that Viccars deliberately targeted vulnerable young victims.
Nature of the Offences
The prosecutor, Charlotte Newell KC, presented evidence detailing how Viccars met his victims via the messaging app Snapchat. He manipulated one victim by claiming he was a teacher and was fully aware of her age.
A transcript revealed disturbing communication patterns, where Viccars referred to one victim as “little girl” and himself as “daddy” and “teacher.” This manipulation extended to isolating his victims through his apparent care and mentorship.
Impact on Victims
Victim impact statements highlighted the emotional toll of Viccars’s actions. One girl expressed deep trust in him, stating he had been her “world” for nearly three years. She felt manipulated, stating, “Now I know what you really wanted was someone young enough to manipulate.”
Another victim described her ongoing nightmares and the feeling of broken trust in adults, saying, “I feel I am never going to find happiness.”
Legal and Institutional Response
Judge English reassured the victims that they should not carry any blame for Viccars’s actions, placing full responsibility on him. In his defense, lawyer Laura Blackband mentioned Viccars’s acknowledgment of his disgraceful behavior and his struggles with alcohol and a difficult upbringing.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating further, as they suspect there may be additional victims of Viccars. DCI Ross Morrell stated that he had been “spamming hundreds of girls on Snapchat” and encouraged anyone who suspects they are a victim to come forward for support.
Viccars has been removed from the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) list and will not be considered for any future appointments. His disturbing behavior has prompted a broader conversation regarding online safety and the protection of minors.
