Chris Bowman is on trial at Maidstone Crown Court

by Keith Hunt

A sports coach molested a boy while carrying out an examination to check his development, a court heard.

Chris Bowman took the 11-year-old to a room and asked him about puberty before touching his genitals, it was alleged.

Bowman, 48, later admitted he had broken the code of conduct by being alone with a young lad - but denied committing any indecency.

Michael Riley, prosecuting, told a jury the question to be decided was whether or not any inappropriate touching happened.

Bowman, who coached in Maidstone and Medway, had told the boy's parents he wanted him to undergo an examination to find out if he had any weaknesses.

"His father indicated he did not want any tests done unless one of his parents was present," Mr Riley told Maidstone Crown Court. "It is not clear if that was indicated to the defendant."

"he said he was in a room with a young boy and that in itself was wrong. he said there was discussion about puberty. he denied asking if he had any hairy areas…” – michael riley, prosecuting

The boy's father dropped him off in Gillingham one evening in October last year.

When he returned about two hours later, his son told him Bowman had carried out the test.

He described Bowman taking him to a room, which had in it a bed or table like doctors used. The coach started to talk about puberty and development, he said.

"He asked him if he had any hair around his privates yet," said Mr Riley.

The court heard that Bowman pulled the boy's shorts down and was staring at his genitals before touching him.

"He said it was best not to tell his parents about the test," said the prosecutor.

The boy's father called the police. The boy was then interviewed.

Mr Riley said it was alleged Bowman was using the notion of a test to touch the boy and gain sexual gratification.

Bowman, he said, had read the code of conduct and was well aware of his duties.

After his arrest, Bowman, who worked at the Bob Prowse Health Club in Armstrong Road, Maidstone, claimed the boy had suddenly taken down his own shorts and exposed himself.

"He said he overreacted and shouted at him and pulled his lower clothing up," said Mr Riley. "He felt he had broken the code of conduct for coaches because he allowed himself to be alone with a young lad who was part of an athletics club.

"He said he was in a room with a young boy and that in itself was wrong. He said there was discussion about puberty. He denied asking if he had any hairy areas.

"He said he might have discussed him getting hair at some stage. He said questions about development came from the boy. He denied asking to see his genitals."

Bowman, of Reinden Grove, Downswood, Maidstone, denies sexual assault on a child under 13.

The trial continues.