Jail for Doncaster football coach who beat child

A football coach spared jail after being convicted of beating a child has had his sentence overturned after a judge said it was "too lenient".

Colin Ford, 55, was found guilty of repeated violence against a boy who he assaulted with his hand and a belt.

The self-employed welder from Doncaster was given a 250-hour community service order at Sheffield Crown Court in June.

The country's top judge overturned the order at the Court of Appeal and sentenced him to two years in jail.

The court heard Ford's offences were committed against the same child and despite being reported many years ago no charges were made.

He was finally prosecuted after the victim, now an adult, came forward again to tell of the attacks.

Following a trial, Ford, of Tenter Lane, Warmsworth, was found guilty of child cruelty and given a community service order by Recorder Richard Wright QC.

However, it was overturned after a reference to the Court of Appeal by solicitor general Robert Buckland QC.

Overturning the sentence, Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett said: "A custodial sentence was not only merited, but required, given the circumstances of this case.

"It follows, in our judgement, that the community punishment order imposed by the recorder was unduly lenient."

The judge said changes in the law on sentencing had complicated Ford's case, but that he had ended up with a punishment that was too soft.

Ford, who was not in court for the hearing, was given until 20:00 GMT to report to Doncaster police station to start serving his sentence.