Gym coach convicted of abusing young girls

Martin O’Hara, 50, of Medmerry Hill, Brighton, has been convicted of sexually assaulting three teenage girls while he was working as a gymnastics coach between 1993 and 2001.

Today, after a ten day trial at Brighton Law Courts, a jury convicted him on eight counts of indecent assault.

All of the offences were committed in the 1990s, on girls under 16 in Horsham district.

The jury was unable to agree on a verdict for a separate charge of sexual activity with another underage girl.

He was remanded in custody until November 20, when he is due to be sentenced.

DC Nathalie Bundy of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: “The victims gave evidence in court and we admire both their readiness to do so and the way in which they so clearly described what had happened to them.

“Anyone who has information or concerns about sexual offending, whether against them or against others, can contact police at any time via or [email protected] arrange to speak to specially trained detectives in confidence.”

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