St Albans Crown Court heard today how Australian Barry Heffernan, known as Butch, used his style of teaching to indecently assault one young girl.

Heffernan, who ran The Down Under Tennis Club, took the second girl back to his Evans Wharf flat in Hemel Hempstead and carried out sex acts on her, the court was told.

The court heard that because both girls dreamed of being star players they kept silent about the abuse, fearing he would stop coaching them.

He pleaded guilty to ten offences of indecent assault and sexual activity with a child.

Prosecutor Jane Bickerstaff said in each case the abuse started when the girls were about 14.

Miss Bickerstaff said Heffernan, 48, gave the first of them gifts, including sunglasses, rackets and a tennis bag.

As the abuse continued the girl began exhibiting psychological problems which included anorexia, anxiety and depression.

The court heard that when she was 16 the girl told Heffernan to stop what he was doing.

Miss Bickerstaff said Heffernan then turned his attentions to the second girl.

When she was 15, Heffernan began taking her to his flat to abuse her.

Judge Stephen Warner said that his behaviour had been described as 'controlling, grooming and predatory'.

In Heffernan's defence, Tom Kark said the coach was now 'genuinely ashamed' and realised he had brought tennis coaching into disrepute.

Judge Stephen Warner told Heffernan "It's clear you were attracted to girls of this age and there is an element of grooming displayed here."

Heffernan received a five and a half year jail sentence and has been disqualified from working from children indefinitely.

His name will also go on the sexual offenders register.