A “PREDATORY” Hindhead tennis coach, who abused his position by sexually assaulting a student, has been sentenced and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

Colin Sherlock, 59, of Wood Road, Hindhead, gained the trust of a teenaged boy he coached, to the point he would allow Sherlock to massage him before he carried out his sexual assault.

Sherlock groomed his victim by buying tennis clothes for him and paying the student’s entry fees for competitions.

He took the teenager back to his flat and inappropriately massaged him on a mattress in his living room before indecently assaulting him.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Tina Stewartson said:“Colin Sherlock was completely predatory in his actions and disgracefully betrayed the trust put in him by his student.

“Young people should be allowed to put faith in those that they look up to and not have their childhood’s ruined by the actions of people like Sherlock.

“On this occasion the victim bravely reported the offences 13 years after they had happened and I would urge anyone who has had similar experiences to report immediately by either calling 101, or use report.police.uk or if you wish to report offences anonymously you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Sherlock pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault and was sentenced on January 19 at Guildford Crown Court to 10 months, suspended for 24 months. He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a period of 10 years.