Sunday, June 24, 2012

Jerry Sandusky, top American football coach, convicted of sexually abusing boys

Sandusky, 68, was a long-time coach of the American football team at Penn State University, a revered institution in a country where college sports are a beloved tradition and lucrative business.

Once a hero in his home state of Philadelphia, he seems certain to die behind bars after being convicted of paedophilia charges that could carry a sentence of more than 400 years in prison in a verdict that came late on Friday evening.

Sandusky had been highly regarded in the community for founding and running a charity, The Second Mile, to help troubled and disadvantaged youths.

But prosecutors said that he used the institution to identify and prey on victims, eight of whom gave evidence in court that he had sexually assaulted them on the college campus or in the basement of his home.

Sandusky was found guilty of 45 of 48 counts against him. One of his six adopted children has also said he was abused, but he was not called to testify.

Just as shocking as the graphic details of the attacks for many Americans was the reported cover-up. The scandal has prompted comparisons with attempts by the Roman Catholic church in the US to protect paedophile priests.

The scandal ended the careers of Joe Paterno, the legendary head coach at Penn State, and Graham Spanier, the university president.

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