Taekwondo world champion and coach who had a sexual interest in boys.

Former Taekwondo World Champion Jailed for Sexual Offences Against Boys

Glen Edwards, 32, of Acrefair, Wrexham, a former Taekwondo world champion and coach, has been sentenced to six years and ten months in prison for sexual offences against boys.

Edwards was found guilty of 12 charges, including sexual activity with a child, sexual communication with a child, and causing a child to watch sexual acts, following a trial at Mold Crown Court.

Judge Niclas Parry, who presided over the trial, described the evidence against Edwards as "quite overwhelming" and stated that there were eight victims who were "in awe of your remarkable achievements" in sport.

Judge Parry also noted that Edwards showed "no remorse whatsoever" for his actions and "bizarrely" claimed he was being targeted for prosecution due to his gender. He declared, "You are now professionally ruined."

Edwards was described by the prosecution as a "charming" and "charismatic" individual who "groomed" young boys. Prosecutor Simon Rogers asserted that Edwards "didn't have any boundaries" and had a "sexual interest" in the boys.

The court heard that Edwards sent pictures of his groin to underage boys and even sent one victim a video of himself naked in the shower. He also engaged in sexually suggestive conversations with the boys, asking them lewd questions and sending them messages with phrases like "hi sexy" and kisses.

Edwards initially claimed that any sexual conversations were simply "jokes," but the judge told the jury, "Someone has lied to you." Ultimately, Edwards pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with an underage boy in a car.

Edwards must now register as a sex offender for life. He was remanded in custody pending sentence and appeared on a video link from Berwyn jail at Wrexham for the sentencing hearing.

The case had a profound impact on the jury. One juror was visibly tearful at the end of the trial, and the judge expressed sympathy for the distress the evidence had caused.