The Sunday Sport, a British tabloid owned by pornography baron David Sullivan, has been revealed to have sold sexualised images of 15-year-old girls. The newspaper ran a feature called 'Countdown to 16,' using revealing photoshoots of young girls to promote topless pictures published after their 16th birthdays.
Background of the Tabloid Era
In 1987, the British tabloid press was at its peak. The Sun, with its celebrity scoops and support for Margaret Thatcher, sold nearly 4 million copies daily. Competition for readers led to increasingly salacious content, including the Sun's topless Page 3 girls. Against this backdrop, the Sunday Sport launched a feature that pushed ethical boundaries.
The Case of Natalie Banus
On September 6, 1987, the Sunday Sport began counting down to the 16th birthday of schoolgirl Natalie Banus. When she turned 16, she could legally be pictured topless. The newspaper described her as 'the sexiest 15-year-old in Britain' with measurements of 'a fantastic 40-22-34.' Banus appeared semi-naked, with her chest obscured only by her arms, to comply with laws against indecent images of under-16s.
The Sunday Sport called 15 'the age of the nymphet' and proclaimed Banus 'the sexiest Lolita of them all.' Fully topless pictures were published in the Daily Star when she turned 16. The newspaper also encouraged readers to call a premium-rate chat line to hear her voice.
In her memoir, Dark Star, Banus reflected on her experience. 'The Sunday Sport wished me a good [birthday] and told readers that I was legal, meaning that I could both show my boobs and that anyone who had sex with me no longer had to fear they might be arrested,' she wrote. Banus, who had hoped to be a ballet dancer, said she wept when she read the pieces. She recalled that the Daily Star ran topless pictures of her 'all week ... always paired with some nonsense story.'
Sullivan's Career and Allegations
David Sullivan, who announced his resignation as joint-chair and director of West Ham United, has faced scrutiny over his adult entertainment empire. He said he was stepping down to fight 'false allegations' about his personal conduct, which are part of a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and the Times. Sullivan did not elaborate but stated, 'After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry ... it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me.'
Banus has not criticized Sullivan personally, saying he 'showed me courtesy and kindness.' However, other models have spoken out. Vicki Scott, a former glamour model, recalled Sullivan trying to have sex with her after she stripped for a job. 'He said: 'That's how it is if you want to work with me,'' she said. In 1981, Sue Stewart said Sullivan asked her to undress and then tried to have sex with her. An undercover reporter, Tina Dalgleish, also reported similar advances.
Legal Troubles and Continued Practices
In 1982, Sullivan was convicted of living off the immoral earnings of prostitutes after police raided two London saunas. He was sentenced to nine months in prison but was freed after 71 days on appeal. Despite this, the Sunday Sport continued its 'Countdown to 16' feature for over 15 years, celebrating the birthdays of teenage girls with topless photos.
Other models included Linsey Dawn McKenzie, who was pictured in a bikini with the headline 'Please print my boobs when I'm 16.' Zoe Parker, scouted at a pornography fair, appeared topless with the headline 'I'm sweet 16 and I can't get enough.' Parker later claimed she was coerced into modelling and driven to suicide. Cherry Frampton, who appeared under the name Cherry Dee, later became a nurse and expressed concern about the industry's links to sex work.
Change in Law and Aftermath
A 2004 law made it illegal to publish indecent images of under-18s, ending the countdown feature. However, the internet has been rife with rumours about Sullivan's treatment of young models. Sullivan sold his stake in the Sport newspapers in 2007 for about £40 million but bought back shares in 2011.
Sullivan's move into football began with the takeover of Birmingham City in 1993, alongside David Gold. He appointed Karren Brady as managing director. In 2010, he bought West Ham United. Despite his resignation, he remains the largest shareholder. Fans have expressed dissatisfaction with his stewardship, especially after the team's relegation from the Premier League.
As allegations surface, Sullivan's past exploits of profiting from sexualised images of young women are under intense scrutiny. His history has not prevented him from reaching the pinnacle of British sport, but whether his position remains tenable is uncertain.
