Chelsea coach gets jail term
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE CHELSEA football coach Graham Rix was sentenced yesterday to a total of 12 months' imprisonment for having unlawful sex with a 15- year-old girl, and indecently assaulting her.
But he was told by Chelsea that though he was now probably "unemployable" in football, his job would be kept open for him once he is released.
Rix, 41, who has four children, looked shaken as he was sentenced by Judge Timothy Pontius at Knightsbridge Crown Court, London.
The former player, who was capped for England 17 times and is regarded as one of the country's top coaches, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of unlawful sex and one of indecent assault.
The court had heard that Rix and the girl had sex at a London hotel on 27 February last year, on the eve of Chelsea's Premiership match with Manchester United.
Rix, of Richmond, southwest London, was also told by the judge that he would have to remain on the sex offenders' register for the next 10 years. He will be released after serving half of the sentence, after which he will remain subject to the terms of licence.
The judge said that the girl had regarded Rix as a kind man and had trusted him and "therefore was willing to go at your invitation to your house and your hotel bedroom". He accepted the girl made no strong protests to Rix's advances.
The judge pointed out that Rix had a pornographic movie on the television in his hotel room and that he had refused to use a condom despite the girl's specific requests and his knowledge that she was a virgin at the time.
After the hearing Colin Hutchinson, Chelsea's chief executive, said: "He is probably unemployable in football, but the job will be kept open and he will return to his post."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments