Gareth Viccars, 47, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Thursday, October 2, after pleading guilty to 16 child sex offences involving three victims.
Snapchat Grooming Horror
The former referee exploited Snapchat to target young girls. He alarmingly referred to himself as “dad” and his victims as “little girls” to groom them.
Viccars had a 25-year refereeing career, officiating professional English Football League matches from the 2018-19 season. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) suspended him immediately after the allegations surfaced.
Disturbing Abuse and Manipulation
Prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC revealed Viccars began messaging a Romford schoolgirl in November 2021. After just four days, he drove from Milton Keynes to Romford, picked her up after school, and sexually abused her.
“You took a girl that loved you more than anything and then you destroyed her,” the victim told Viccars in an emotional impact statement at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
She described how Viccars used “kind words” and “attention” to win her trust and isolated her “in plain sight.”
Another victim was groomed similarly after meeting him on Snapchat. Despite his denials of sexual interest in children, prosecutors played a voice note where Viccars called a victim “little girl” and himself “daddy” and “teacher.”
One victim recounted how Viccars laughed during an assault and talked about wanting to rape her. She said his actions shattered her trust, causing nightmares, flashbacks, and lost self-esteem.
The third victim met Viccars in a park, hoping to expose him. Instead, he exposed himself and sexually assaulted her before being chased off by teens chanting “paedo.”
Judgement and Aftermath
Defence lawyer Laura Blackband admitted Viccars’s behaviour was “disgraceful” and highlighted his difficult upbringing and alcohol issues. Viccars himself called himself a “Poundland Charlie Sheen” and acknowledged bringing shame to the refereeing community.
Judge Caroline English condemned Viccars for deliberately preying on vulnerable young girls. She noted his guilty pleas but criticised his failure to admit having a sexual interest in female children.
Police Appeal for More Victims
“Viccars’s offending is shocking. He would reach out to young girls, build relationships through lies, and then sexually assault them,” said Det Ch Insp Ross Morrell, leading the Met’s investigation.
The Met Police are urging anyone who suspects they or their children may be victims to come forward, warning there could be hundreds more unreported cases.
Specialist support is available through police and independent charities to help victims rebuild their lives.
Originally published on UKNIP