A gymnastics coach cleared of abusing youngsters yesterday accused a North-East council of ruining his life.

Paul Wells, 63, said Newcastle City Council thought he was guilty - despite the fact that he was acquitted by a court of six charges of indecent assault against youngsters he coached at a leisure centre.

The father-of-three won a unfair dismissal claim against the council at an industrial tribunal last year and is now trying to resolve the question of compensation.

Social services bosses have said that Mr Wells still poses a risk to youngsters and that while working with them he was "grooming" children to target them later.

He told the Newcastle tribunal yesterday: "All I have tried to do is help people in my life."

Mr Wells, of Chapel House Estate, Newcastle, was sacked in February 2000, five months before his trial.

After his case at Newcastle Crown Court, he began coaching at another leisure centre, operated by North Tyneside Council.

But, following information from Northumbria Police and Newcastle City Council, he was no longer allowed to coach in North Tyneside.

He also learned Newcastle City Council was trying to put his name on a child protection list.

"I was absolutely devastated," he said. "I felt my life was absolutely shattered and ruined. Newcastle City Council obviously thought I was guilty.

"I would dearly love to be back at work again, but I have resigned myself to the fact that this is unlikely."

Mr Wells rejected allegations of repeatedly raping a former work colleague over a four-year period.

He denied having any sexual relationship and accused the woman of being a fantasist - a description that was repeated by Karen Hoggins, duty manager of the centre, who gave evidence in support of Mr Wells.

The hearing continues.