David Harry Coote, a former Premier League referee, was sentenced on 8 January 2026 at Nottingham Crown Court after admitting to making an indecent image of a child. The court handed down a nine-month prison term, suspended for two years, along with a sexual harm prevention order and community service. The case follows a separate disciplinary action by the Football Association in August 2025, when Coote received an eight-week suspension for misconduct unrelated to the criminal charges.
Coote, 43, officiated in the Premier League from 2018 until 2024, overseeing more than 80 top-flight matches. His career ended following the emergence of evidence that led to his prosecution and the collapse of his professional standing within football. The sentencing has drawn widespread attention due to the severity of the offence and the high-profile nature of his former role.
Who is David Coote?
| Full Name | Born | Former Role | Conviction |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Harry Coote | 11 July 1982 | Premier League referee | Making indecent images of a child (15-year-old boy) |
- Coote was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years, in January 2026.
- He pleaded guilty to one charge of making indecent images of a child in October 2025.
- The FA suspended him for eight weeks in August 2025 for a separate misconduct issue.
- He officiated in the Premier League from 2018 to 2024, including high-profile matches.
- UEFA banned him until 30 June 2026 after separate footage emerged.
- An unrelated cricketer also named David Coote (born 1955) can cause confusion.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of guilty plea | 14 October 2025 |
| Sentence date | 8 January 2026 |
| Sentence length | 9 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years |
| FA suspension date | 12 August 2025 |
| FA penalty | 8-week suspension + mandatory education programme |
| Victim age | 15-year-old boy |
| Coote’s age at sentencing | 43 years old |
| Referee career span | 2010–2024 (approx.) |
What Did David Coote Do? The Charges and Guilty Plea
What the Court Heard
Coote admitted to one charge of making an indecent image of a child, specifically a Category A video, which the BBC describes as the most serious classification. The video was found on a device seized by police. Forensic examination showed his laptop had been linked to a hard drive and had downloaded or viewed the video on 2 January 2020, according to BBC reporting.
Understanding the Legal Term “Making”
Under UK law, the offence of “making” an indecent image can include downloading, storing, or copying abusive material. It does not necessarily mean the person produced the content themselves. This legal definition is key to understanding the charge Coote faced.
His Plea and Court Process
Coote initially entered a not guilty plea, then later changed his plea to guilty. The change occurred ahead of his sentencing hearing, for which he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court.
“Making” an indecent image under the Protection of Children Act 1978 includes downloading, storing, or copying such material. The charge does not require the defendant to have produced the image themselves.
What Was David Coote’s Sentence?
Prison Term and Suspension
Coote received a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. This means he will not serve the time immediately, provided he complies with court-ordered conditions and does not reoffend. The court also imposed a sexual harm prevention order lasting 10 years and ordered 150 hours of community service, as reported by the BBC.
What Is a Suspended Sentence?
A suspended sentence is a prison term that is not served immediately. The offender is released under supervision and must adhere to strict conditions. If they breach the terms or commit another offence, the prison term can be activated.
Additional Court Orders
The judge warned Coote that any breach of the order or further offending, especially sexual offending, could bring him back before the court. He must also register as a sex offender for the duration of the notification requirements.
The maximum sentence for making indecent images of a child is 10 years in prison. The court’s decision to suspend the nine-month term means Coote will serve his time in the community under supervision, rather than in custody.
How Did the FA Respond? Suspension and Disciplinary Action
FA Suspension and Education Programme
The Football Association acted before the criminal case concluded. In August 2025, an independent Regulatory Commission imposed an eight-week suspension and a mandatory face-to-face education programme on Coote for a breach of FA Rule E3, which relates to misconduct. The specific details of the breach were not publicly disclosed. According to BBC reporting, the FA action was connected to a separate incident involving derogatory comments about Jürgen Klopp.
UEFA Sanction
UEFA also imposed a ban on Coote until 30 June 2026 after images emerged of him inhaling a white substance through a banknote while in Germany for Euro 2024. This sanction further ended his involvement in officiating at European level.
Is David Coote Still a Referee?
His refereeing career is effectively over. The combination of the FA suspension, UEFA ban, and criminal conviction means he is no longer active as a football official.
The court warned Coote that any breach of the sexual harm prevention order, or any further offending, particularly of a sexual nature, could result in the activation of the suspended prison sentence.
Timeline of David Coote’s Case
- : David Harry Coote born in England.
- : Officiates in lower leagues, then promoted to referees list.
- : Premier League referee, officiates 80+ matches.
- : The indecent video is downloaded or viewed on Coote’s laptop, according to forensic evidence.
- : Incident involving indecent images occurs.
- : FA imposes 8-week suspension and education programme for a separate matter.
- : Coote pleads guilty to making indecent images of a child.
- : Sentenced to 9 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, plus sexual harm prevention order and community service.
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Coote pleaded guilty to one charge of making indecent images of a child. | The exact nature of the “contempt of court” issue mentioned in some reports is not detailed. |
| He was sentenced to a suspended prison term of nine months. | Whether the FA suspension and criminal case are related is not confirmed. |
| The FA suspended him for eight weeks in August 2025. | The identities or circumstances of the victim beyond age are not publicly known. |
| He is a former Premier League referee. | Coote’s current financial status and future employment prospects are unknown. |
Analysis and Context: The David Coote Case
The case falls under the Protection of Children Act 1978 in England and Wales. A suspended sentence means Coote will not serve time unless he reoffends or breaches court orders. The sentence is considered lenient compared to the maximum of 10 years for such offences.
The FA’s independent regulatory commission acted before the criminal case concluded. The eight-week suspension and education programme were for a separate breach of FA rules. The criminal case later led to a more severe penalty and effectively ended his refereeing career.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Coote’s high-profile role as a Premier League official. Many football fans and commentators expressed shock, while others called for stricter penalties. The suspended sentence has been controversial.
Key Sources and Quotations
“Former football official David Coote is given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.”
— BBC News, 8 Jan 2026
“David Coote has been spared jail after he was found to have a sexual video of a 15-year-old boy in school uniform on his laptop.”
— ESPN, 8 Jan 2026
“An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed an eight-week suspension and mandatory face-to-face education programme on David Coote for a breach of FA Rule E3.”
— The FA, 12 Aug 2025
“David Harry Coote (born 11 July 1982) is an English former football referee. On 14 October 2025, he pleaded guilty to the charge of making indecent images of a child.”
— Wikipedia
What Happens Next?
Coote will be subject to the terms of the suspended sentence for two years, until January 2028. He must comply with court-ordered conditions including notification requirements and registration as a sex offender. The FA may take further action, such as a lifetime ban from officiating. Any appeal or further legal developments would be reported in the news. For more details on the sentencing, see David Coote sentenced to suspended prison term. For background on the FA disciplinary action, see David Coote suspended by FA over Klopp comments and other sanctions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a suspended sentence?
A suspended sentence is a prison term that is not served immediately. The offender is released on condition that they do not commit another offence and comply with court orders. If they breach the terms, they can be sent to prison.
Why did David Coote avoid jail?
The court decided to suspend the sentence, likely considering factors such as his guilty plea, lack of prior offences, and the nature of the offence. The judge deemed it appropriate to allow him to serve the sentence in the community under supervision.
What is the difference between the two David Cootes?
David Coote (born 1982) is the football referee involved in the criminal case. David Coote (born 1955) is a former cricketer for Nottinghamshire. They are different people.
When did David Coote plead guilty?
He pleaded guilty on 14 October 2025.
Was David Coote a Premier League referee?
Yes, he officiated in the Premier League from 2018 to 2024.
What was the FA’s eight-week suspension for?
The FA suspended him for a breach of Rule E3, which relates to misconduct. The specific details of the breach were not publicly disclosed, but the suspension was unrelated to the criminal charges.
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Philip Rowe is Senior Reporter at UKBullet.uk, covering breaking UK news stories.