A FORMER gymnastics teacher has been found guilty of a series of sexual assaults on young girls.

David Schadek, 62, taught at Sudbury Gymnastics Club and later went on to take his classes at DGA gym, in Colchester, which he founded.

Schadek, of Fenno Close, Colchester, was renowned for being one of the top coaches in the area and had a role as a national gymnastics judge.

However, he was found guilty of five counts of sexually assaulting a girl under 13 by touching at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday.

Jurors also found him guilty of committing an act or series of acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice.

He denied all charges but jurors heard how he sent a message to the mother of one of the complainants and visited their home address.

Read more: Former gymnastics teacher faces child sex offence allegations

Schadek was cleared of five further offences of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual assault.

The sexual assaults are said to have taken place between 2005 and 2017 after three complainants came forward and spoke out to police.

After a Christmas party in December 2017, a witness noted he was concerned about Schadek’s “inappropriate” behaviour.

A police investigation was launched and Schadek was arrested at his home in March 2018.

Following yesterday’s verdict, Schadek will now return to court on December 21 for a sentencing hearing.

Bailing Schadek, Judge Timothy Walker imposed a number of conditions prior to the hearing, stating he must live and sleep at the address he currently resides at.

Schadek must also report to Colchester police station every Saturday and Wednesday.

He must also not contact the three complainants in the case.

If any of the conditions are breached, Schadek will be taken into custody.