Sex assault victim calls for cricket abuse inquiry

A antheral who was sexually assaulted by a erstwhile Durham cricket manager arsenic a kid has called for an autarkic enquiry into maltreatment wrong the sport.

'David', who cannot beryllium named for ineligible reasons, was repeatedly abused by erstwhile Durham inferior manager and scout Michael Strange portion helium was playing for a section club.

Strange, 62, of Gateshead, has been convicted connected 4 abstracted occasions implicit the past decennary of sexually abusing young players helium coached.

In 2015 helium pleaded blameworthy to indecently assaulting David and was sentenced to 3 years successful situation the pursuing year.

He was jailed successful 2012 for six years for the maltreatment of 3 boys going backmost to the 1990s.

In 2020 helium was fixed an other 4 and a fractional years down bars for indecently assaulting different lad and was jailed for an further 40 months this twelvemonth for 2 indecent assaults.

David believes abusers similar Strange volition person been progressive astatine different clubs elsewhere successful the country.

Strange was jailed for 3 years for abusing 'David'

The Football Association (FA) commissioned the autarkic Sheldon Report into historical enactment maltreatment allegations aft erstwhile players waived their anonymity to talk retired astir the maltreatment they suffered astatine the hands of coaches Barry Bennell, Bob Higgins and others.

The reappraisal was published successful 2021 and identified organization failings astatine the FA and wrong clubs, stating that informing signs were missed retired of "ignorance and naivety".

In 2017 the ECB opted against an autarkic enquiry - autarkic ECB directors conducted a reappraisal alternatively - and it has not commissioned an autarkic reappraisal specifically focused connected Strange.

David said: "I deliberation it would beryllium beneficial (to clasp a Sheldon-style review).

"The publicity that could punctual idiosyncratic to talk retired is simply a amended happening than not doing thing astatine all."

Durham County Cricket Club person been approached for comment, portion the ECB said Strange was permanently disqualified from each cricket enactment successful 2006 and it does not person details for consequent offences, which were dealt with by the police.

An ECB spokesperson said: "We are profoundly disturbed by the maltreatment 'David' suffered and the interaction it has had connected him since. No-one should ever person to acquisition what helium did.

"We are moving with the statutory agencies to recognize a elaborate chronology successful the intervening years to the grade those agencies are capable to stock accusation with us.

"Everyone should consciousness harmless portion playing cricket and safeguarding is simply a precedence for the ECB.

"The ECB has enforcement and committee leads for safeguarding and a dedicated safeguarding squad which supports the web of trained safeguarding roles astatine each counties and clubs.

"In addition, a caller safeguarding strategy is owed to beryllium published soon which incorporates each of the recommendations from the Sheldon Report, astir of which were already implemented oregon successful advancement anterior to the Sheldon Report being published."

Anyone with concerns tin study them via their club, region safeguarding officer, the ECB Safeguarding team oregon the NSPCC kid extortion helpline connected 0808 800 5000.