04.08.2014

Darrell Bunn Avoided Prison Due To His Ill Health

Former PE teacher and Olympic coach Darrell Bunn has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the 1980s.

He admitted nine charges of indecent assault and two of child abduction at Birmingham Crown Court, which occurred during his career as a teacher at a Birmingham school.

Bunn was given a two-year suspended sentence due to his ill health. The 64-year-old has a progressive and ultimately incurable form of cancer.

The historic offences against a 15-year-old girl took place in 1988 and 1989, when Bunn was in his late 30s, and continued in a two-year consensual relationship.

The victim, now 41, is reported to have confided in friends about the relationship ten years ago, and contacted the police in July 2013.

Expert Opinion

This shocking case is yet another example of sexual offences being carried out by individuals in a position of trust. Recent high-profile cases involving celebrities and public figures have increased publicity around historic sexual offences, but it is important to remember not all of these crimes were committed by famous faces. <br/> <br/>“It is vital professional bodies and regulators take notice of cases like these and take action to improve standards and impose adequate safeguarding measures to prevent similar problems in the future. <br/> <br/>“In our work we have seen too many people’s lives ruined by abuse suffered at the hands of someone in a position of trust. Our work helping survivors of abuse to access the help they need for both the psychological and physical suffering they have endured means we have seen the misery that abuse in all forms can cause.” Tom Fletcher - Partner