A former football coach has been jailed for engaging in sexual activity with a 12-year-old boy.

David Aspden, 33, of Goldburn Close, Ingol, was arrested in December 2017 after a complaint was made the police.

The former official at Springfields FC junior football team had asked the boy – who cannot be named for legal reasons – to perform a sexual act in a caravan in Cumbria.

The boy refused and reported the incident to police.

After being charged Aspden went on the run to the United States in December last year and failed to return to the UK to appear in court.

He admitted his guilt via video link and returned to the UK for sentencing.

Aspden was jailed at Burnley Crown Court on Friday (7 June) for five years.

He will also have to sign the Sex Offenders Register and is the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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Detective Constable Marek Misiuna, of Lancashire Police, said: “David Aspden is a dangerous and predatory offender who targeted and groomed his victim in an attempt to incite sexual activity.

“Thankfully the victim recognised Aspden’s actions were serious offences and reported the incidents to his family then police. We must praise his bravery in coming forward and reporting what took place.

“Aspden will now face a number of years in prison and we welcome today’s sentencing.”

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