An Eltham man who coached some of Britain’s Olympic superstars in the 70s and 80s has said that a woman accusing him of sexual assault 35 years ago in fact “took hold of him”.

Cyril Carter, 68, who worked in schools across south London, is alleged to have molested a girl under the age of 13 years old and sexually assaulted a teenager.

Carter has denied all charges against him but admitted to a sexual relationship with one of his accusers, who he told Woolwich Crown Court he thought was 17 years old at the time.

Giving evidence, Carter said he was repeatedly like a “rabbit in headlights” as “she took hold of [him]”.

Carter, who was in his early 30s, said: “I didn’t know a woman could do that.

“I regret I didn’t move away.”

The woman claims she was 13 years old in 1981 when she Carter allegedly first assaulted her.

Carter, formerly of Queenscroft Road, Eltham, was arrested at Heathrow airport in 2014 after returning from Thailand.

The former coach is charged with six counts of indecent assault and five counts of gross indecency with a child under the age of 13-years-old.

Carter has coached Olympic stars including swimmer Sharron Davies and judo medallists Neil Adams and Brian Jacks.

He has also written books on the discus with British strongman Pete Tancred and judo techniques with Neil Adams.

The trial continues.