Telford school football coach on trial for sex offences

Joe Hall, 26, has denied eight counts, including multiple charges of sexual activity with children.

The charges mainly relate to alleged activity over mobile phones, including sending and requesting sexual pictures and videos.

The offences are said to have been committed while he was in a position of responsibility for the youngsters concerned.

Mr Andrew Wallis, prosecuting, told the jury yesterday that Hall had abused that position to children who were supposed to be in his care.

Hall was said to have called two of the victims “boring” when they refused to send him pictures of their body parts, the jury heard.

Mr Wallis added: “It’s become quite usual in some cases for people to think others want to see their private parts over the internet.

“But when children are involved, particularly when they are supposed to be in your care, it is not what you’re supposed to do.

“Hall was older, more experienced and yes he took full advantage.”

Hall, of Brands Farm Way, Randlay, Telford, is accused of indecent exposure and of inciting a child to sexual activity with one victim and showing two others under 16 a video of a sexual act.

The court heard he is accused of sending lewd pictures and a pornographic video link to another victim, inciting a child to observe him in a live feed on social media, and inciting a child to send sexual images to him.

With a further victim, Hall is accused of sending photos and a text message containing sexual references, and inciting the victim to engage in sexual activity.

He is also accused of possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals.

Mr Wallis added that Hall had said children must have taken his phone and viewed the sexually explicit video while he was distracted.

He also said that he had sent some pictures and images of himself to the victims by mistake, meaning to send them to his girlfriend.

The trial continues.