A FORMER leisure centre worker who admitted sexually assaulting three young girls has been warned that he could be sent to prison.

Mark Eyles, 23, worked at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, when he carried out the assaults between May and September 1999.

Eyles, now of Silverdale Place, Newton Aycliffe, was suspended from duty while police and centre owner Darlington Borough Council launched an investigation. He is no longer employed by the council.

Yesterday, at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Anthony Briggs said "all sentencing options" would be considered, including custody.

Eyles admitted five charges of indecent assault against a girl under 16 and one count of indecent assault against a second girl, also under 16.

He also pleaded guilty to a further charge of indecency with a child under 14.

A plea of not guilty was accepted to a charge of importuning between May and September 1999, while a charge of indecent assault against a fourth girl in June 2000, which he also denied, was ordered to lie on the file.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports. Eyles was remanded on bail until he is sentenced in three weeks time.

Eyles, formerly of West Auckland Road, Darlington, was investigated by police last year after it was alleged he had assaulted the first girl, aged 15, at the Dolphin Centre in 1999.

Detective Constable Denise Riley, of the Darlington police child and family protection unit, said: "From the outset this was an investigation which needed good working relationships between ourselves, the Dolphin Centre staff and Darlington social services.

"We are pleased with the outcome, and Eyles' decision to plead guilty saved a number of teenage girls the ordeal of having to give evidence in court."

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: "We regret that this happened and have fully co-operated with the police in their investigations. As soon as we were made aware of the allegations, Mark Eyles was suspended from duty. He is no longer employed by Darlington Borough Council.