Gareth Viccars, a former assistant referee in the English Football League (EFL), has been sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison for a series of child sexual abuse offences. The 47-year-old, from Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to 16 counts including sexual communications with a child, meeting a child following grooming, and engaging in sexual activity with a child. The offences took place between November 2021 and October 2024 and involved three girls aged 15.
At Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Caroline English told Viccars: “You did deliberately target these three young victims and you did so on account of their ages. I am therefore quite satisfied that in all three cases you preyed upon young women that were vulnerable.” The judge noted that despite his guilty pleas and expressions of remorse, Viccars failed to acknowledge a “sexual interest in female children”, evidenced by messages to victims and a statement from his ex-girlfriend that he asked her to dress in school uniform.
The court heard Viccars met his victims on Snapchat, telling one that using WhatsApp was “too risky”. He lied to one victim, claiming he was a teacher, and referred to her as “little girl” while calling himself “daddy” and “teacher” in a voice note. Prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC said Viccars exploited a victim’s loneliness, turning conversations sexual. Another victim was abused over several years, taken to football matches, and told others she was being “mentored”. A scrapbook she made of their “relationship” was used as evidence.
In victim impact statements read to the court, one girl said Viccars had been her “world” and that she trusted him “completely”, but now realised he wanted “someone young enough to manipulate”. Another said she blamed herself and suffered nightmares and flashbacks. Judge English urged the victims not to shoulder any responsibility, stating it rested “entirely with Mr Viccars”.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Laura Blackband said Viccars acknowledged his behaviour was “disgraceful”, citing a difficult upbringing and alcohol issues. The Metropolitan Police believe there may be further victims, as Viccars had been “spamming hundreds of girls on Snapchat”. Viccars was suspended by Professional Game Match Officials as soon as allegations emerged and has since been removed from their list.
