A BRITISH martial arts champion has been jailed for having a sexual relationship with a willing 14-year-old student.

Tae Kwon Do instructor, David Thompson, was sentenced to four years in prison after admitting sexual activity with the under-age girl.

The 39-year-old, who Liverpool Crown Court heard was a former Olympian, had been training the girl for about 2½ years.

But, in July, 2007, Thompson molested her after giving her a lift home after a coaching session.

Claire Jones, prosecuting, told the court the father-of-four had groped the infatuated youngster in her bedroom, after she had invited him inside to see her new bed.

Months later – after the girl had turned 15 – the pair were alone together at the gym, when Thompson again groped the girl before they performed a sex act together.

But, in a police interview, his victim admitted she had consented, saying: “It was good because it was an older man, it was exciting. I wanted it to happen. I don’t know if I loved him, but I loved the fact I was having a relationship with this man.”

Thompson’s crimes only came to light when a teacher became concerned after the girl wrote a school essay describing their sexual relationship.

Thompson, who has two children older than his victim, initially denied all indecent behaviour.

But he later admitted one count of sexual activity after being confronted with forensic evidence.

On the day his trial was due to begin, Thompson, of Jubilee Drive, Kensington, admitted a further two counts of sexual activity.

Jailing him, Judge Nigel Gilmour, QC, said: “The offences arose from a relationship that was formed during your coaching of the complainant as a martial instructor.

“That relationship can properly be described as one involving trust.

“The complainant’s parents entrusted their daughter’s care and safety to you during such time.”

Judge Gilmour, who described the teenager as “sophisticated” and “attractive”, added: “You succumbed to her physical charms.”

But he said teenage girls needed to be “protected”.

Michael Wolff, defending, said Thompson has already paid a high price.

His partner, fellow British Tae Kwon Do champion Joanne Nash, has now left him.

Despite appearing in court, Mr Wolff said it was the last time Thompson would see Ms Nash, as she was now leaving him and taking their two children, aged seven and five, with her.