“Soccer coach” jailed in America for child sexual assault caught umpiring cricket in Doncaster
Stephen Morgan, 40, was jailed for eight years in a US prison in 2019 for sexually assaulting a child
A “predatory” former “soccer coach” jailed in California for sexually assaulting a child was caught umpiring young players in a cricket match back in his South Yorkshire home town, a court heard.
Stephen Morgan, aged 40, was jailed for eight years in a US prison in 2019 and had only been able to return to the UK in 2023 - where he was jailed again for a child sex offence.
However in 2024 he was approached to umpire for a Doncaster Town Cricket Club team with under-16 players, while regularly attending as a “spectator”.
Morgan, who was jailed for 11 months back in the UK for attempting to sexually communicate with a child, was discovered by safeguarding checks after agreeing to become a player for the club’s fourth team - where he would have had access to youngsters in the “changing rooms”.
The umpiring job put him in breach of a sexual harm prevention order following the sexual communications offence.
A judge told Morgan his “predatory behaviour” was “indicative of a pattern” and his history was “exceptionally concerning”.
Alice Ibbotson, prosecuting, described how in 2024 Morgan began attending Doncaster Town Cricket Club as a spectator when he was approached by the manager of the club’s fourth team - of which roughly half of the players were aged under 16 - and asked to be an umpire.
During a match on August 9 last year Morgan umpired for “two to three hours” and was paid £20, said Ms Ibbotson. He was subsequently asked to play in an upcoming match two weeks later, which he agreed to do.
However Morgan’s shady past was revealed during safeguarding checks that followed and the club informed police.
In a statement the club’s safeguarding lead said he was shocked that Morgan had “targeted” the fourth team because of its “young players”.
He added that, had Morgan become a player, he would have had access to changing rooms used by youngsters.
Ms Ibbotson said: “At no time did the defendant disclose to his probation officer that been umpiring.”
The prosecutor added that the team’s captain was “disgusted” that Morgan had “abused” his trust.
The court heard Morgan had four convictions for six offences, including the sexual assault of a child under 13 while coaching a “soccer” team in California, USA.
In 2019 delivery driver Morgan was jailed for eight years in a US prison.
However after returning to the UK in 2023 he was jailed for another 11 months after attempting to sexually communicate with a child.
Morgan’s barrister James Yearsley said his client knew the breach was serious however he had been “approached” to be an umpire by the team’s manager.
Judge Rachael Harrison told Morgan: “You have a very concerning history bearing in mind you were prosecuted in another jurisdiction and given a significant jail term in California in relation to the sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 in 2019.
“It’s exceptionally concerning that you have been to prison in America and this is a serious breach. You were engaging in activity that allowed you to watch children and be befriended while they had no idea of your convictions.
“Your previous conviction in America took place while you were acting as a sport’s coach - there’s a risk of very serious harm bearing in mind your convictions.” A probation officer had, said the judge, assessed Morgan’s behaviour as “predatory” and “indicative of a pattern”.
Morgan, previously of Silver Street, Doncaster, admitted breaching a sexual hard prevention order. He was jailed for two years and four months.