A gymnastics coach from Worthing is dealing with prison for sexually abusing 4 of his minor gymnasts after he “capitalized” of his position of trust.
Norman Hogbin has actually been founded guilty of 11 counts of sexual assault versus women as young as 7 years of ages.
The 66-year-old was implicated of purchasing one gymnast a hamster as a “silencing present” to keep her peaceful after she was abused.
A jury founded guilty Hogbin, of Wordsworth Roadway, Worthing Central, West Sussex, on Thursday of 10 counts of indecent attack, and one count of gross indecency with a lady under the age of 16.
Hogbin was acquitted of 3 counts of indecent attack, one count of gross indecency with a lady under the age of 16 and the jury did not return a decision on one count of sexual attack on a woman.
Mr Recorder Brock, administering at Checking out Crown Court, remanded Hogbin in custody and stated he would be sentenced at a later date to be identified.
Throughout the trial, Sarah Lindop, prosecuting, had actually stated: “They all make accusations of the accused acting in a sexually improper way towards them.
” All were understood to the accused through his work as a gymnastics coach.
” The prosecution state, members of the jury, he controlled them, he betrayed the trust that was put in him both by the women and by their households.”
Hogbin had actually been training at a fitness center and a trampolining club in Lewes, when the offenses supposedly occurred, the jury of 5 males and 7 ladies were informed.
One lady was mistreated “when a month”, consisting of at her house and in his automobile, such that it “ended up being rather a regular thing”.
Explaining one circumstances of the supposed abuse, Ms Lindop stated: “He understood that she did not like it and quickly after he purchased her a hamster. You might believe that was a silencing present.
” He was plainly relied on by her moms and dads to take her to different locations to select her up and drop her off and he benefited from that trust members of the jury to touch her in an intimate and sexual method.
” He was a really generous coach and he was somebody she appreciated. In addition, she was doing training of more youthful kids with him. When these things took place, she did not state no.”
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Hogbin took this lady and another lady to Brighton for a shopping journey and brought all 4 presents consisting of clothing, which the prosecution stated was “grooming” behaviour.
A 3rd gymnast aged in between 11 and 13 at the time of the supposed abuse, stated she thought she had a “close relationship” and Ms Lindop stated the lady declared: “It was nearly as if the accused believed they remained in a relationship.”
All of the supposed events occurred in between 1998 and 2004 however the plaintiffs initially stepped forward in 2019.
In an authorities interview that year, Hogbin had actually rejected any of the offenses had actually happened and stated he had actually not purchased the women presents or provided unique treatment, though he did recall offering among the women a hamster, the court heard.
