Ex East End boxing coach faces trial on sex assault claims

Pat Coughtrey , News Editor Thursday, August 16, 2012
5:00 PM

A former boxing coach has denied repeatedly molesting a young fighter some 40 years ago.

Peter Deal, 73, is said to have raped and abused the boy over a four year period between 1969 and 1973 while working at the boxing club in London’s East End.

The trainee boxer was just 10 when Deal is first accused of indecently assaulting him, with the alleged offences continuing until he was 14.

Prosecutor Benedict Kelleher told Inner London Crown Court the coach’s alleged offending amounted to an ‘abuse of his position’.

Deal spoke only to confirm his name and enter not guilty pleas to the 17 charges, mainly of indecent assault, between January 15, 1969, and January 16, 1973.

Judge Usha Karu remanded Deal, who suffers from prostate cancer and type two diabetes, in custody and ordered he stand trial on November 5.

Deal, of Romford Road, Forest Gate, denies 13 counts of indecent assault on a male person, three counts of buggery, and one count of indecency with a child.