Ex-Premier League Referee David Coote Admits Guilt in Child Indecent Image Case
David Coote, a former Premier League referee, has admitted guilt in a case involving the making of an indecent image of a child. The 43-year-old appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on a Tuesday to face charges related to a category A video, which is regarded as the most severe category of indecent images.
Details of the Case
The incident leading to Coote’s charges began when Nottinghamshire Police recovered the video in February. He was officially charged in August with the offense of creating an indecent image of a minor. Such charges typically encompass actions like downloading, sharing, or saving abusive photographs.
Court Appearance
On the day of his hearing, Coote wore a navy suit and a black tie. He confirmed his name and entered his guilty plea in front of Judge Nirmal Shant KC. While standing in the dock with his hands together, Coote was informed that a pre-sentence report would be compiled prior to his sentencing.
Judge Shant commented, “You have pleaded guilty to a serious matter. Whether this means custody or not will be determined based on all the information available to the court, which is why I have ordered a pre-sentence report.”
- Defendant: David Coote
- Age: 43
- Court: Nottingham Crown Court
- Charge: Making an indecent image of a child
- Category: Category A (most serious)
- Pre-sentence Report Required: Yes
- Next Court Date: 11 December
Background and Consequences
Coote’s professional background further complicates the situation. In August, he received an eight-week suspension from the Football Association after making derogatory comments about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in 2020. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed the termination of his contract in December.
In a surprising turn, Coote publicly came out as gay in January during an interview, revealing that his long-standing struggle to accept his sexuality influenced his previous behavior.
The case continues to develop as more details emerge. Coote awaits further court proceedings as he navigates the implications of his guilty plea.
