Ex-Premier League Referee David Coote Confesses to Creating Indecent Child Image

David Coote, a former Premier League referee, has pleaded guilty to creating an indecent image of a child. The 43-year-old appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on a Tuesday for this serious offense.

Details of the Case

The charge specifically involves a category A video, which is the most severe classification of such material. Law enforcement discovered the video in February, leading to the court proceedings.

Court Appearance

During the hearing, Coote, dressed in a navy suit and black tie, only confirmed his name and his guilty plea. Judge Shant KC presided over the case and granted Coote conditional bail, with a requirement to return to court on December 11.

Understanding the Charges

The indictment of making an indecent image pertains to actions like downloading, sharing, or saving abusive photos and videos. The court emphasized the gravity of the category A classification.

Background of David Coote

Coote previously served as a referee in the Premier League, officiating 112 matches. His career also includes 143 matches in the Championship and 30 in the FA Cup, alongside four international friendlies. He was dismissed by the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) in December after controversial comments about Liverpool’s manager, Jürgen Klopp, surfaced.

Next Steps

Judge Shant ordered a pre-sentencing report, noting, “You have pleaded guilty to a serious matter. Whether this means custody or not will be decided when all the information is before the court.” The court will use this report to determine the consequences Coote will face.

Updates on this case will be provided as more information becomes available.