Man found guilty of 43 Rotherham sex crimes

Darren Swift, of Lawrence Road in Telford, appeared before Doncaster Crown Court last Friday charged with 44 offences between 1980 and 1997.

He was found guilty of 26 counts of indecent assault, 12 of indecency and five of buggery. One count of buggery was discarded during proceedings.

Swift was working at local sports clubs and youth groups when he committed the crimes. The four boys he abused were aged eight to 14 at the time.

Det Con Ian Hampshire led the investigation. He said: “Each victim was subjected to years of abuse by this man who was a trusted member of the local community.

“He held several positions of trust for various community groups, where he met and effectively groomed these vulnerable young boys for sexual purposes.”

Swift denied his guilt throughout the trial, forcing each victim to relive their experiences in front of a jury.

Det Con Hampshire added: “I am pleased with the verdict reached today and I pay tribute to the victims who had the courage to come forward and disclose their ordeal.

“It is difficult to comprehend the strength it will have taken each victim to report this abuse to police years after it took place.

“I hope that for the victims, this marks the conclusion of years of torment for them and their families.

“The Force remains committed to tackling child sexual exploitation and take any reports of sexual abuse, historic or current, very seriously.”

Swift has been remanded into custody and will be sentenced in 2015.