A young dad who claims he was the victim of child sexual abuse from the age of eight has spoken of his ordeal and said: “I want justice.”
Kyle Edwards, 27, step-son of former Huddersfield Town star Rob, waived his right to anonymity to urge other victims not to suffer in silence.
Former local league footballer Kyle, of New Mill, was ‘groomed’ and then sexually abused by a friend just a few years older than him.
The abuse, which included attempted rape, happened in the other boy’s house.
The alleged abuser told him what they were doing was “normal” and the attacks lasted two years, suddenly stopping as the boy approached his 16th birthday.
Kyle, who turned to alcohol and drugs growing up, suppressed his trauma until a chance encounter brought the memories flooding back.
In April, Kyle – now a dad to an 11-month-old son – broke down and told all to his distraught partner Ella Wade, 22, and parents Rob and Sharon.
Brave Kyle said: “What I want is justice and for other victims of abuse to come forward and tell someone.
“They should not be scared like I was. Speak out, otherwise it will eat you up.”
Within hours of telling his devastated parents, social care worker Kyle had reported the abuse to police.
An inquiry was launched and his alleged abuser arrested and interviewed.
Last week the family was told there was insufficient evidence for historic charges to be brought.
Just days earlier Kyle had attempted to take his own life, downing two bottles of vodka and a cocktail of tablets.
Now pulling himself back from the brink with the support of his family, Kyle said: “I was in a bad place but I realise now he is not worth my death.
“When my son was born he changed my life and I will do anything to protect him.”
Kyle, who is now receiving counselling, told how – between the ages of eight and 10 – he would go to the other boy’s house to play computer games.
The other boy would give him sweets and old football tops.
“He said it was like a game but it was sexual abuse for two years solid,” said Kyle.
“Once he tried to rape me. He stopped because I said he was hurting me. He said: ‘I am sorry, I didn’t mean to’.
“I kept going back but said: ‘Are we meant to do this?’ He said: ‘It’s just a game.’”
The abuse stopped just as the boy was about to leave high school but the trauma stayed with Kyle.
As a teenager he suffered night terrors, waking up screaming. Drink, drugs and behavioural problems were put down to growing up by his unsuspecting parents.
Kyle added: “Why the abuse stopped I don’t know but it affected me badly. When I went to high school I just felt I didn’t fit in. I didn’t feel normal.”
He got into trouble and saw a child psychologist and turned to drink and drugs.
“It was my way of feeling free and happy but it made it worse,” he admitted.
Kyle’s life was affected in other ways. He had a fear of showering with others – which brought taunts that he was ‘gay’ from football mates – and he became fixated with his body image, beefing himself up in the gym “so no one can ever overpower me again.”
Finally, the chance meeting with his alleged abuser at a social event tipped him over the edge.
A group got chatting and the conversation turned to Kyle’s son. The man turned to Kyle and said: “I’ll have to come round and see him.”
Kyle said: “It was just a throwaway remark but I felt physically sick and angry.”
Later Kyle confronted his abuser in a message on Facebook. The message, seen by the Examiner, was ticked as ‘read’ but there was no reply.
Finally, Kyle confided in Ella who was “in bits”. She insisted he tell his parents and just hours later he was on the phone to police.
“I felt daft ringing the police about something that happened 17 years ago,” he said. “I felt an idiot.”
Kyle and his alleged abuser were interviewed and an inquiry has now been concluded. “It was good to get it all off my chest but talking about it just didn’t seem real,” said Kyle.
“Because no charges have been brought, in many ways, it feels like a waste of time. I still want justice to be done.”
In a statement Det Insp Mick Brown, of Kirklees Safeguarding Unit, said: “A thorough investigation was carried out by specially trained officers into alleged historic child sexual offences against a male victim which are reported to have taken place between 1995 and 1997.
“As part of our enquiries, a man was arrested.
“However there was insufficient evidence to pursue the matter further and he has been released, facing no further action.
“We would urge anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence – whether historic or current – to either contact the police directly or the West Yorkshire Sexual Offences Referral Centre on 01924 298954 for advice and support.
“We have dedicated child and adult safeguarding teams based in each of our districts staffed by specially trained officers whose job it is to investigate sexual offences, ensuring that victims are supported throughout the process.
“These officers are experienced in dealing with the sensitivities of such investigations and will listen to victims, taking allegations seriously and undertaking professional investigations.”
It’s just torn us all apart. We can’t describe it
Former Town winger Rob Edwards told of the “guilt” he and wife Sharon felt when son Kyle told them he had been abused as a child.
When Kyle, 27, finally told partner Ella Wade what had happened to him she collapsed in tears. He didn’t want to tell his parents but care worker Ella said he must.
Rob, 45, who had two spells at Town retiring from the professional game in 2005, was coaching at Holmfirth Town when he got the call from Kyle. “We were devastated,” said Rob. “We try to keep busy but it’s just awful. We feel bad as parents. We just didn’t have a clue.
“We thought it was just a normal teenage relationship, two boys growing up. But now Kyle’s drinking and the drugs, it all fits together.”
The news rocked Rob and Sharon’s relationship, too, putting a huge strain on them. The Netherthong couple, who have two other children Chelsie, 25, and Mercedes, 18, are also having counselling.
Sharon, 46, said: “We were shocked that Kyle had kept this a secret for all this time. It’s just torn us all apart. We can’t describe it.
“We are speaking out about this, not just because we want justice for Kyle, but to help others who might be going through the same thing.
“You must speak out. Tell someone, anyone.”
Many people in the family’s circle of friends know about the allegations and some have been supportive and others haven’t.
Rob, now a joiner, said: “You find out who your friends are in circumstances like this. Some people I will never speak to again. Others are sitting on the fence not wanting to believe.
“I just want the truth to be out there. Anybody who knows me knows I don’t have a bad bone in my body.
“We’d just like to thank the genuine friends who have stuck by us. They are true friends.”
Some have questioned whether Kyle is telling the truth and ask why he is raking up the past.
Kyle is defiant and said: “I have a kid and a mortgage. I have nothing to gain by it or by going public. It’s important for me to help others.”
