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A CLOUD of suspicion has hung over Olympic diving star Brian Phelps for many years.

But he was only brought to justice after one of his victims finally plucked up the courage to pick up the phone and contact child protection officers in Poole.

DC Andy Shah was at the other end of the line.

"The woman, who is now in her 30s, had just rung us for advice.

"She didn't know which way to turn - Phelps had ruined her life from the age of four," he said.

Her harrowing video evidence led to another four victims taking a stand against the man who had robbed them of their childhood innocence.

Phelps's Olympic glory had provided the perfect cover for his perversions.

"Even when confronted with the evidence, all he wanted was to talk about being an Olympic champion and how much he had helped children train to become renowned gymnasts," said DC Shah. "He kept insisting that gymnastics was a contact sport and there were times when coaching involved physical touching.

"During two days of interview he only admitted minor offences, stating he was a reformed character and dismissing the more serious allegations by saying it had happened years ago."

Phelps ran three gyms in Poole, using his position of trust to groom his vulnerable young victims from 1975 until 1986.

"Hundreds of thousands of people passed through the doors of those premises; unsuspecting parents entrusting the care of their children to Phelps," said DC Shah.

The father-of-two had come to the attention of social services in 2003 following a report that he had abused children.

"The victim didn't want to go to the police so the matter was referred to the British Gymnastics Association.

"While an investigation was being carried out Phelps resigned, just as he was about to be dismissed and have his coaching qualification taken away. "

Months later, Phelps and his wife Monica sold their home in Corfe Mullen and moved to France, leaving before the accusations started to fly.

Their retirement plans were shattered after one of his victims decided to speak out about her years of abuse.

"Since coming forward, she has found a release from her suffering and is starting to pick up the pieces of her life," said DC Shah.

"The burden she had been carrying for so long has finally been lifted and she can start to move on."

DC Shah urged other abuse victims to speak out against their attackers. He said: "Don't suffer in silence - your evidence could prevent others from having to go through the same terrible ordeal."

9:30am Friday 16th May 2008

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