Former amateur football coach jailed for sexual abuse of 10-year-old boy

A former amateur football coach from Sussex has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for historic child sexual abuse.

Glenn Langrish, 74, also known as Glenn Stevens, carried out the attacks on a 10-year-old boy over a period of three years before fleeing to Sweden.

Langrish befriended the boy, Stephen Lewsey, now 51, who waived his right to anonymity, during the 1980s and went on to abuse him over a period of several years.

They would meet at the lawnmower repair shop where Langrish worked called ReeEven Hire in Crawley. The abuse took place there and when he gave the boy a lift home afterwards.

The abuse stopped in 1989 when Langrish was jailed for unrelated child sex offences. On his release in 1994, he moved to Sweden and changed his name to Glenn Stevens.

Stephen reported the abuse to Sussex Police in 2011 and Langrish was eventually arrested in July 2023 after being extradited from Poland .

Hove Crown Court heard Langrish had a series of similar previous convictions against children and that he was a former amateur football coach, but neither the location nor the identity of the club were revealed.

Langrish was charged and found guilty of four counts of indecency with a child and four counts of indecent assault on a child.

In a statement read out in court, Stephen Lewsey said: “Until I confided in my wife, I treated this as my ‘dirty little secret’ something that I lived with for the last 40 years, but you have now been found guilty of the crimes that you know you committed. 

“I would never have asked my ex-wife and my dear old mum (who just lost her husband just before Christmas) to endure the trial If I did not know what you had done to me all those years ago was so wrong, that you needed to face justice.

“It has taken a long time to face you in court but now we have had our day and the jury has seen through your lies, I can now start to rebuild my life.

"Since I initially reported your behaviour to the police, I have experienced many, many emotions including some really dark thoughts, but throughout the entire time I have had the support of my amazing wife who has had to endure her husband go through this emotional, most imaginable turmoil.

“My family has suffered and have blamed themselves for your actions but there is only one person who should accept their responsibility and that is you – Glenn Langrish / Stephens or whatever you have changed your name to now to avoid any further people coming forward."

Det Sgt Becki Buckley said: “Glenn Langrish thought he could hide in Sweden and not have to face justice for his appalling crimes.

"He hugely underestimated the determination of Sussex Police, our partner forces and national agencies and, just as importantly, the resolve of his brave victim.

“This investigation should send a clear message to victims of sexual offences that we will stop at nothing to get you the justice you deserve.

“If you are a victim of sexual offences, no matter how long ago, please report it to us. You will be heard, you will be believed and we will do everything we can to help you. Report online, via 101 or dial 999 in an emergency.”

Jordans Solicitors – helping victims of child abuse claim compensation

If you have been a victim of physical and/or sexual abuse and would like to speak to one of our Specialist Abuse Lawyers in confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We have the knowledge and experience to advise you on the available options for pursuing a Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim and/or civil damages claim.