A FORMER Olympic diver cleared more than 40 years ago of indecently exposing himself to a teenage girl at a North-East swimming baths has admitted a catalogue of abuse involving children as young as six.

Brian Phelps, formerly from the Ashbrooke area of Sunderland, was in court yesterday more than three decades after he molested his first victim.

Phelps, 63, who won bronze in the 1960 Olympics in Rome and went on to win Commonwealth gold in 1962 and 1966, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to 25 charges of indecent assault and 17 offences of gross indecency dating from 1976.

Now seeing out his retirement in France, he denied four charges of rape and one of attempted rape.

Iain Ross, in mitigation, asked for the preparation of pre-sentence reports, and Judge Samuel Wiggs adjourned sentencing until May 15.

Phelps, who was remanded in custody, made the headlines in the North-East when he was cleared by magistrates in Blaydon, near Gateshead, in April 1966 of exposure at Dunston swimming baths.

Then aged 22 and married to British gymnastics champion Monica Rutherford, of Fulwell, Sunderland, Phelps was alleged to have stood at the top of a staircase and exposed himself when a 14-year-old girl and her friend arrived at the baths.

Richard Reed, his defence counsel, said at the time: "The result (of the case) could have deadly effect on a man who has dedicated his life to diving.

It will not affect his marriage, but it will affect his career."

The court said there was no case to answer.

As he was leaving court at the conclusion of the case, Phelps was attacked by the mother of an 11-yearold girl who had given evidence, suffering a cut to his eye.

Phelps, who is still married to Monica, was back in court in 1971, where he was again cleared, this time of shoplifting, having then moved to Bournemouth.

Speaking after yesterday's court hearing, Dorset's senior crown prosecutor, Julia Woodward, said Phelps had used his position of trust while running three gyms in Poole, to abuse his young victims.

She said: "This was a very serious case involving a number of victims who were subjected to numerous incidents of a sexual nature.

"The offences took place over a tenyear period from the mid-Seventies, when Phelps' victims were between six and 16.

"Following an initial complaint, stemming from just one victim, the extensive press coverage led to other victims coming forward who had been subjected to similar offences in similar circumstances. This enabled us to establish Phelps' full criminality."

The officer in the case, Detective Constable Andy Shah, said: "After more than 30 years, this will be a great relief to the three victims.

"I hope the sentence will reflect the crimes which have been committed."