An Island gymnastics coach 'engaged in deliberate manipulative and grooming behaviour with young girls, displaying flagrant disregard for their welfare', a jury has heard at Douglas Courthouse.

Sixty-two year old Hal Volante, the former Head Coach of the Ellan Vannin Gymnastics Club in Douglas, today went on trial charged with eight counts of indecent assault against seven girls.

The prosecution opened its case and said that, over several years, the defendant used his position to carry out a number of serious assaults on girls who attended gymn classes, abusing his position of trust.

(Picture: Inside the club's premises).