Brian Phelps (diver)

Brian Phelps (born April 21, 1944) is an English former diver.

He competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome at the age of 16, where he took bronze in the 10 metre platform event. He was also Commonwealth gold medallist in the 1962 and 1966 games.

Phelps then went on to found the OLGA trampoline club along with his wife Monica. The club, based in the south of England, has generated many international performers since its opening. These include current coach Nigel Rendell whose son, Luke Rendell, is a current international performer and Tom and Hannah Lewis, both of whom have won major titles, Hannah's being the 2003 European championships with Tom's the 2005 World Age Championship win. Brian Camp, one of Phelps's main prodigies performs regularly with the world's best. Another club member has been Claire Wright. Other OLGA performers include Danielle Pietruszka and Katy Ianson.

Phelps is now retired and before his imprisonment was living with his wife Monica in northern France. He is a former commentator on diving for the Eurosport television channel.

Indecent assault and indecency case

Phelps was remanded in custody by Bournemouth magistrates on January 9 2008 [ [http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article670430.ece British Olympic diver | In court | Accused of rape | The Sun |HomePage|News ] ] after being charged with rape, attempted rape and 19 indecent assaults on two girls. Phelps was remanded to appear at crown court on January 16th 2008. The attacks plus 19 indecent assaults took place from 1976 to 1986 – while the girls were between six and 15.

In front of Bournemouth magistrates on 6 February 2008, he was further charged with six counts of indecently assaulting a girl under 14 and one count of gross indecency, these offences being alleged to have taken place between 1975 and 1980. He next appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on March 25. [ [http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.2024494.0.olympian_faces_new_indecency_charges.php Olympian Faces New Indecency Charges (from Thisisdorset) ] ]

At his trial Phelps admitted to 42 charges of indecent assault and indecency. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7348227.stm|title=Olympic diver admits sex attacks|accessdate=2008-04-15|date=2008-04-15|publisher=BBC] According to BBC News, he has been sentenced to 9 years imprisonment. [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7402955.stm|title=Olympic diver jailed for attacks|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=2008-04-15|publisher=BBC]

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