Man admits coaching children while on barred list
BBCA man who has admitted coaching a youth football club despite being banned from working with children will be sentenced in January.
Courtney Branagan, 37, from Hull, was found not guilty of sexual activity with young girls in 2017 but was put on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Children's Barred List in 2019, Hull Magistrates' Court heard.
He appeared at court earlier where he pleaded guilty to engaging in regulated activity with children while being on the Children's Barred List after coaching East Riding Rangers FC's Under 10s team from 2024 until 2026.
Branagan, who is due to be sentenced on 19 January, was bailed on condition he does not contact any children in a coaching capacity.
The court was told that, during the case in 2017, Branagan was found not guilty of sexual activity with young girls after he was accused of commenting on their breasts, using sexual language and requesting photographs.
He was put on the DBS Children's Barred List in 2019, which meant he was banned indefinitely from working with children.
He unsuccessfully appealed against the barring.
The court heard Branagan coached weekly sessions for East Riding Rangers FC's Under 10s boys team, based in Cottingham, from 1 January 2024 until 9 June 2026.
The club became aware of Branagan's barring on 8 June 2026. He then left the club, the court heard.
In August 2026 East Riding Rangers pleaded guilty to a Football Association (FA) charge related to an isolated safeguarding breach.
It said that before the safeguarding issue it had no knowledge of anyone associated with the club being subject to a ban and had it been aware it would not have allowed them to be involved in coaching.
The club said it reported the safeguarding concern to the FA at the earliest opportunity and had acted as transparently as possible during the process.
"The club continues to provide a safe environment for all its current and future members," it added.
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