'People would be right to hate me'

ICE HOCKEY PLAYER ADMITS SOME SEX OFFENCES

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

A FORMER professional ice hockey player and TV extra who has admitted committing sexual offences against children said he understood people may have ‘a lot of hatred’ for him.

Philip Hamer, 34, from Salford, gave evidence in his defence for the first time as jurors at Manchester Crown Court were told Hamer has already pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including engaging in sexual activity with four teenage girls.

He is currently standing trial accused of sexually assaulting and raping a string of women and girls. The allegations, which he denies, concern six complainants in total.