A Thai boxing instructor from Trafford has been jailed after sexually abusing young girls in a 30 year reign of terror.

Renowned as a 'god' in the world of British Thai boxing, Keith Nathan, 59, was jailed for six years today after being found guilty of 17 offences of gross indecency and indecent assault.

The court heard how Nathan, of Park Gate Road, Timperley, used his gym in Altrincham as a base to sexually terrorise young girls for three decades.

Known locally as 'Pele', due to his skilful athleticism, he was well-respected in the sport and competed for championships internationally until his arrest in 2015.

Nathan ran Pele's Gym in Altrincham, where he groomed young girls and exacted sexual favours from them.

He was arrested in June last year and charged with 19 offences of indecent assault and gross indecency, which took place at gyms across Trafford between 1979 and 2003.

Today (Friday, July 20), he was sentenced to six years in prison at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Detective Constable Vickie Burgess of GMP’s Public Protection Investigation Unit, said: “Despite projecting his most perverse and depraved actions on young girls, he somehow managed to keep his championship reputation in the martial arts world.

“This is due to the lengths he went to, to keep his abuse undetected and the promises he made to those he preyed on – what we now know as child grooming.

“Between 1979 and 2003, while parading as a trustworthy coach, he terrorised the lives of his victims who have been so brave in coming forward and now, the only thing he has to think about behind bars is how he subjected them to this atrocious abuse.”

Officers from the Public Protection Investigation Unit launched an investigation after a complaint was made against Nathan, dating back to the 1970s.

While investigating the case against him, specialist officers discovered Nathan coached young girls at gyms across the Trafford and Manchester area.

Police were able to identify two victims, both girls under the age of 16 at the time of the offences.

When officers brought him in for an interview and put the evidence to him, he denied the offences and continued to do so despite being brought in front of a judge.

He has now been jailed for six years and put on the sex offenders' register for life. He will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

- If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

- You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515, whether or not you want make a police report.

- St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them via Greater Manchester Police, or as a self-referral.

- Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500.

- Survivors Manchester offers support and counselling for adult male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, regardless of when the event happened. Contact 07919 246 267.