Former soccer manager accused of abuse

A former soccer club manager has been accused of sexually abusing young boys over a period of more than 20 years.

Grant Williams, a 69-year-old former manager and long-time member of Petone Football Club, appeared in Lower Hutt District Court yesterday facing 15 charges including indecent assault and sexual violation, The Dominion Post reported.

The charges relate to four boys who were aged between 9 and 12 at the time of the alleged abuse and were said to have mostly occurred in the 1980s, although one charge was for an indecent assault in 1962.

Williams was remanded on bail for a pre-depositions hearing on June 11.

Football club chairman Craig Deadman confirmed Williams' former position at the club and said police had told him of the allegations.

Williams left the club in 1995 because of declining sponsorship and had not had any involvement since, Mr Deadman said.

- NZPA