Former Premier League referee David Coote is set to be sentenced today, 8 January 2026, after admitting to a charge related to a child abuse video found on his device.
Guilty Plea and Court Proceedings
The 43-year-old official, from Woodhill Road in Collingham, Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty in October 2025 to making an indecent image of a child. This charge relates to activities such as downloading or saving abusive material.
The case stems from a Football Association investigation which led to police seizing and analysing a number of Coote's devices. A category A video – the most severe category – was recovered in February 2025, resulting in his arrest at his home.
Conditions Ahead of Sentencing
While on conditional bail ahead of today's hearing at Nottingham Crown Court, Coote was subject to strict restrictions. He was not permitted to have contact with anyone under the age of 18 or to live at an address where children reside.
Coote was pictured arriving at the court building at around 9am this morning for his sentencing hearing.
Impact and Fallout
The case has sent shockwaves through the football community, where Coote was a well-known figure at the highest level of the game. His swift guilty plea marked a significant development in the legal process.
The sentencing will conclude a case that began with an internal FA probe and escalated into a criminal investigation, highlighting the serious nature of the offence.
