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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Coach found guilty of sex charges | Coach found guilty of sex charges |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A top Scottish gymnastics coach has been found guilty of 10 sex charges against young female gymnasts. | A top Scottish gymnastics coach has been found guilty of 10 sex charges against young female gymnasts. |
| Mitchell Dolphin, 51, was convicted of three charges of sexual assault and seven counts of lewd and libidinous behaviour involving six girls. | Mitchell Dolphin, 51, was convicted of three charges of sexual assault and seven counts of lewd and libidinous behaviour involving six girls. |
| The offences took place at his gymnastics academy in Midlothian and at other locations. | The offences took place at his gymnastics academy in Midlothian and at other locations. |
| Dolphin, who was found not guilty on eight other charges, will be sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court next month. | Dolphin, who was found not guilty on eight other charges, will be sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court next month. |
| Dolphin had denied all the charges, which covered the period from December 1986 to February 2008. | Dolphin had denied all the charges, which covered the period from December 1986 to February 2008. |
| His victims, who were aged between seven and 16, told the trial how Dolphin would kiss and cuddle them, have them sit on his knee and make sexual and inappropriate remarks. | His victims, who were aged between seven and 16, told the trial how Dolphin would kiss and cuddle them, have them sit on his knee and make sexual and inappropriate remarks. |
| Reported to police | Reported to police |
| Complaints about the conduct of the coach, who ran the LO-GY Centre in Polton Road, Loanhead, had been made to the association on a number of occasions over the years. | Complaints about the conduct of the coach, who ran the LO-GY Centre in Polton Road, Loanhead, had been made to the association on a number of occasions over the years. |
| However, the matter was not reported to the police until January 2008. | However, the matter was not reported to the police until January 2008. |
| The coach, who now lives in Newtongrange, had been suspended from his job as performance director of the Scottish Gymnastics Association when police investigations began. | The coach, who now lives in Newtongrange, had been suspended from his job as performance director of the Scottish Gymnastics Association when police investigations began. |
| Dolphin claimed young pupils often came and sat on his lap and that was part of the "family atmosphere" he was trying to create in the gym. | Dolphin claimed young pupils often came and sat on his lap and that was part of the "family atmosphere" he was trying to create in the gym. |
| We are deeply concerned by this case, but fortunately situations like these are extremely rare Caitriona O'SheaScottish Gymnastics Association | We are deeply concerned by this case, but fortunately situations like these are extremely rare Caitriona O'SheaScottish Gymnastics Association |
| He also said that cuddling young gymnasts as an encouragement or reward for a good performance was commonplace throughout the world. | He also said that cuddling young gymnasts as an encouragement or reward for a good performance was commonplace throughout the world. |
| The father of one of the victims said relatives of those involved were pleased with the verdicts. | |
| Speaking outside court, the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said the case had been very difficult for the families to sit through. | |
| "We've been here nearly five weeks now," he said. | |
| "Having to sit through the defence and listen to the lies that were put forward was particularly hard to bear sometimes. | |
| "We accepted what was being said and just let justice take its course and I think that has happened." | |
| The father said he believed that "without a doubt" there were more victims but said that they could not face coming forward to the authorities. | |
| He said of Dolphin: "He's a man that was, without a doubt, a very good coach. | |
| "Nobody disputed that, but he was in a position of trust. We sent our daughters there in the assumption that everything would be OK. | |
| "For this to come out was an absolute body-blow to us. I just find it disgusting that a man of his position could do this." | |
| Reassure parents | |
| Caitriona O'Shea, chief executive officer of the Scottish Gymnastics Association, welcomed the guilty verdict. | Caitriona O'Shea, chief executive officer of the Scottish Gymnastics Association, welcomed the guilty verdict. |
| "This decision vindicates the victims of these crimes and the policies and procedures we have in place to protect all those who participate in gymnastics," she said. | "This decision vindicates the victims of these crimes and the policies and procedures we have in place to protect all those who participate in gymnastics," she said. |
| "As the national governing body for gymnastics in Scotland, we put the health and safety of all those who participate in our sport as the number one priority. | "As the national governing body for gymnastics in Scotland, we put the health and safety of all those who participate in our sport as the number one priority. |
| "Obviously we are deeply concerned by this case, but fortunately situations like these are extremely rare." | "Obviously we are deeply concerned by this case, but fortunately situations like these are extremely rare." |
| She said that more than 150,000 children across Scotland took part in gymnastics safely every week. | She said that more than 150,000 children across Scotland took part in gymnastics safely every week. |
| "We would just like to reassure parents that we will do everything we possibly can to ensure this continues to be the norm," she added. | "We would just like to reassure parents that we will do everything we possibly can to ensure this continues to be the norm," she added. |
| Sheriff Frank Crowe called for background reports and released Dolphin on bail. | Sheriff Frank Crowe called for background reports and released Dolphin on bail. |
| He was also placed on the sex offenders register. | He was also placed on the sex offenders register. |