A FORMER bodybuilder who was jailed for 12 years for sexually abusing five young girls is appealing against his conviction and sentence.

During his two-week trial at Bournemouth Crown Court last year, John Phelps from Edwina Drive, Poole, maintained his innocence and kept his composure.

An investigation into the allegations against him was launched following the arrest of his brother, Brian Phelps, who also ran a gym in Poole and competed in bodybuilding competitions.

John Phelps was found guilty of raping a child, just months after his brother was jailed for nine years after admitting a catalogue of child sex offences.

Jurors found John Phelps guilty of rape, 13 indecent assaults and three crimes of gross indecency.

The father-of-two, who was a member of an Olympic canoe squad, was banned from working with children indefinitely and from being in the company of any female under the age of 18.

Phelps, 52, was arrested at his home just eight days after Brian Phelps appeared before Bournemouth magistrates court on similar charges.

Jurors were told that John Phelps, who is now a grandfather, had molested his young victims from 1973, forcing them to relive their harrowing ordeals in court. One was just four years old when the abuse began.

Judge John Harrow told Phelps: “You were hiding a dark past that has caught up with you. Your behaviour is so serious there has to be a substantial prison sentence.”

Phelps, who ran Shapes Gym in Lagland Street, Poole, must register as a sex offender within seven days of his release from prison.

His case has been listed at the Court of Appeal in London on December 16.