Chris Bowman will stand trial at Maidstone Crown Court

by Keith Hunt

A sports coach accused of a child sex offence has had his trial delayed until after the Olympics - after a judge heard he was training a decathlete for the Games.

Chris Bowman, of Reinden Grove, Downswood, Maidstone, denied a charge of sexual activity with a boy while in a position of trust last year.

The athlete, 24-year-old Martin Brockman, from Maidstone, sat in the public gallery at Maidstone Crown Court as 48-year-old Bowman, who coaches in Medway and Maidstone, entered the plea.

Judge Michael Carroll set the trial date for August 28 after Orla Daly, defending, asked for it to be moved back.

"He is an athletics coach," she said. "There is a gentleman in court today who is likely to qualify for the Olympics in the decathalon. Mr Bowman is his trainer."

Bowman's conditional bail was continued.