David Coote, the former Premier League referee whose career has been overshadowed by controversy, arrived at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday morning to hear his sentence.
Coote, 43, from Newark, had previously pleaded guilty to making an indecent image of a child.
The case has drawn widespread attention because it involves a single Category A image, which is the most serious classification in child exploitation law.
Category A offences cover acts such as downloading, sharing, and saving material, and carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
Court Appearance Delayed by Legal Hurdle
Coote was originally set to be sentenced on December 11, 2025.
However, the hearing was postponed for a month because his barrister could not attend in person.
On Thursday, Coote was pictured arriving at the court around 9 a.m., facing the consequences of his actions.
Since pleading guilty in October, Coote has been under strict conditions, including bail restrictions that prevent him from contacting anyone under 18 or living at addresses where minors reside.
He is also subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which limits certain activities to reduce risk.
Judge Issues Stern Warning About Potential Custody
Ahead of sentencing, Judge Nirmal Shant KC reminded Coote of the gravity of the offence.
“As far as you are concerned you have pleaded guilty to a serious matter,” the judge stated.
“Whether custody is imposed or not will depend on the full facts presented to the court.
You must not assume a non-custodial sentence is automatic—it isn’t.”
Coote’s inclusion on the Sex Offender’s Register will also be determined by the sentence he receives, with the duration dependent on the court’s ruling.
Investigation Triggered by FA Review
The case came to light after the Football Association investigated Coote.
During the inquiry, his mobile phones were examined by a third party.
The Crown Prosecution noted that two conversations on his device suggested he had a sexual interest in children, which prompted further investigation.
Coote was arrested at his home, and a PGMOL-registered Dell laptop was seized.
On it, authorities found a Category A video of a 15-year-old child, accessed on the date referenced in the charge.
Coote’s Controversial Career and Previous Misconduct
Coote had been a prominent top-flight and international referee, but his career was already under scrutiny before this case.
He was sacked last December after a video surfaced in which he made disparaging remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The FA later charged him over the comments, in which he allegedly used offensive language about Klopp.
Earlier in the year, Coote was also banned by UEFA following a video that appeared to show him snorting a white powder in a hotel room during Euro 2024 in Germany.
These incidents had already raised serious questions about his professionalism and conduct on and off the field.
What Happens Next?
Coote now awaits the formal sentencing decision, which will determine his time on the Sex Offender’s Register, as well as whether he will face prison.
Until then, he remains on conditional bail, bound by strict restrictions designed to prevent further risk.
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