Jailed: Paedophile rugby coach who secretly filmed teenage boys using spy cameras in south west London

David Simmons has been jailed for three years and eight months for secretly filming boys at more than 30 venues across south west London
David Simmons admitted filming boys at rugby clubs across south west London
Met Police
Jonathan Mitchell29 June 2017
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

A paedophile rugby coach has been jailed for molesting boys and filming hundreds of youngsters using spy cameras hidden in changing rooms.

David Simmons, 26, hid cameras inside digital clocks in showers and toilets while running rugby union coaching sessions and holiday clubs at more than 30 venues across south west London.

The paedophile coach also insisted boys weigh themselves naked under the guise of performing body fat percentage tests.

Simmons would secretly record the young boys using his iPhone or iPad duing the fake tests.

The camera equipment Simmons hid in Lynx shower bottle
Crown Prosecution Service

Prosecutors have released disturbing images of the spy equipment used by Simmons, including a Lynx shower bottle that he hid a camera nside.

He also hid the cameras in digital clocks and left them in the boys’ showers.

The self-employed coach also admitted posing as a teenage girl on Skype to encourage a boy to take part in online sexual activity.

Simmons was jailed for three years and eight months after admitting 17 sexual offence charges at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.

David Simmons has been jailed for three years and eight months
Met Police

He was only caught after the cameras were discovered by a disturbed colleague who then called the police.

In March 2104, the colleague found a clock above a toilet and numerous others in a filing cabinet, but was told by Simmons they were there when he moved to the centre.

But after finding another clock near Simmons’ desk, the friend dismantled them to make the horrifying discovery spy cameras were hidden inside.

Investigators then raided Simmons’ home in Ashford and his Teddington offices, where they found almost 500 videos, including ones of naked young boys.

London CPS reviewing lawyer Caroline Hughes said: “Over several years David Simmons abused his position of trust to systematically film hundreds of naked young boys for his own sexual gratification.

The clocks used by Simmons to spy on young boys
Met Police

“He knew there was no reason to touch these boys but used the pretext of fat tests to sexually assault them.

“The overwhelming evidence in this case left Simmons with no choice but to plead guilty and accept responsibility for his crimes.”

Simmons moved to London in 2001 eventually starting his own business coaching children's rugby to boys aged eight to 16, running the Simmo’s Rugby Stars club in 2011 and Titan Sports Academy in 2013.

He pleaded guilty to 17 charges, including 7 counts of voyeurism, one count of inciting a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, four counts of sexually assaulting a boy under the age of 13, two counts of sexual assault on a male and three counts of making indecent photos.

Detective Chief Inspector Zena Marshall, from the Met's sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command, said: "Simmons abused the trust that was placed in him by both the victims and their parents; this was a terrible betrayal.

"I hope the families can have some satisfaction that Simmons has been brought to account and is now facing the serious consequences of his actions."

An NSPCC spokesman said: ‘Simmons’s behaviour was despicable and devious. He breached the trust given to him by the young players he coached and by their parents, who had every right to believe their children were in safe hands."

Anyone who wishes to obtain advice and support relating to Simmons’ crimes, or any other child abuse case, should contact the NSPCC dedicated helpline on 0800 731 9256.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in