School running coach and former police officer jailed for online sex offences

A school running coach and former police officer has been jailed for online child sex offences after an undercover police operation.

Mark Smith, 52, ran an after school running club at Pensby High School in Wirral. It’s also understood that he served as a sergeant with Merseyside Police.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Smith had begged an undercover police officer, posing as a dad, to sexually abuse his own child while he watched on a video call. Smith requested pictures of the child, and in return sent a number of indecent images of girls in school uniform and a video of a child being raped.

He went on to engage in explicit chats with decoy accounts posing as 13-year-old girls on Snapchat. He later dismissed his perverted behaviour as “sexual banter”.

Smith admitted two counts of encouraging a child sex offence, three charges of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, two offences of attempted sexual communications with a child, and two counts of distributing indecent images of children.

He was jailed for two years and four months, handed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, and made to sign the sex offenders’ register for the same period.

A group of children placed their trust in this man to assist them with a hobby they loved and were passionate about, unaware of the dark truth behind their running coach’s true character.

The school came forward and expressed its regret with Smith’s involvement in its extra-curricular programme. The club has been suspended and Smith banned from the site. The school is also reviewing its safeguarding strategy.

As well as seeking justice through the criminal court, survivors can also pursue compensation through the civil process to access funding for therapy and losses as a result of abuse they have experienced.

If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse you can contact our Abuse Team to explore the possibility of bringing a civil claim and to secure the compensation that can aid in the healing process.