David Coote – Sentenced for Child Abuse Video
David Coote, a former Premier League referee, was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to making an indecent moving image of a child.
The case has sent shockwaves through the football community, ending the career of a once-respected top-flight official. The sentence was handed down at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, 8 January 2026.
Coote, 43, from Woodhill, Collingham, Nottinghamshire, admitted downloading and storing a Category A video of a 15-year-old schoolboy. His swift fall from grace has raised serious questions about safeguarding within professional football.
Who is David Coote?
David Harry Coote was born on 11 July 1982 in Nottinghamshire, England. He built a career officiating in the English Football League before being promoted to the Select Group of Premier League referees in 2011.
Who is David Coote?
David Harry Coote (born 11 July 1982) is a former English Premier League referee from Nottinghamshire. He officiated top-level matches from 2011 until his dismissal in 2025.
The Offence
Coote was found in possession of a sexual video of a 15-year-old schoolboy. The video was discovered on his device, leading to charges of making/possessing indecent images of a child.
The Sentence
On 8 January 2026, Coote received a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at a UK court. He avoided immediate jail due to mitigating factors.
Career Aftermath
Coote was immediately suspended by the PGMOL and subsequently lost his position as a Premier League referee. His future in football officiating is effectively over.
Key Insights
- David Coote was a respected Premier League referee before the case.
- The video involved a 15-year-old boy and was classed as a category A indecent image.
- The suspended sentence means Coote will not serve prison time unless he re-offends.
- The case has raised questions about child safeguarding in football circles.
- Multiple high-authority sources (BBC, Guardian, ESPN) confirm the same core facts.
Snapshot Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Harry Coote |
| Born | 11 July 1982 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Former football referee (Premier League, EFL) |
| County FA | Nottinghamshire Football Association |
| Offence | Possession of indecent image of a child (video of 15-year-old) |
| Court Date | 8 January 2026 |
| Sentence | 9 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years |
| Current Status | Former referee, no longer officiating |
What did David Coote do? The Offence
The central offence involved a 2-minute, 11-second video originally recorded on 2 January 2020. The footage depicted a 15-year-old boy in school uniform performing
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