A HEREFORD cycling coach has been disciplined for sending sexually inappropriate text messages.

Jonathan Williams, known as 'Jonty', was disciplined by British Cycling for breaching its code of conduct and failing to act in a professional manner

The disciplinary judgement has only just been published despite the hearing taking place in January.

This is because an appeal took place in April. But it was dismissed and the judgement still stands.

The judgement reads: "Mr Williams faced a number of allegations in relation to his conduct, including concerns that on a number of occasions, comments he made and messages he sent to women were sexually inappropriate.

"British Cycling alleged that this behaviour constituted a breach of the Coaches Code of Conduct and the British Cycling Code of Conduct and therefore was sufficiently serious to be determined as Misconduct under Clauses 3.2 (d) and (m) of the British Cycling Disciplinary Rules."

The clause (d) means the disciplinary officer considers the breach sufficiently serious to constitute an act of misconduct.

While clause (m) relates to a person in a position of trust or authority over another person abusing that trust or authority in any way; including failing to act with respect towards such other person by, for example, engaging in bullying or conduct that may induce feelings of fear and/or harassment.

Mr Williams ran The Spot-on Shop at Halo Hereford Leisure Centre offering bike sales, cycle coaching and fitness training.

The appeal committee upheld two counts of misconduct against Mr Williams and confirmed that his actions were ill judged and that his conduct, in particular his lack of knowledge of the Code of Practice for Cycling Coaches, fell way short of that expected of a qualified British Cycling Coach.

He had a six-month suspension of his British Cycling Coaching Qualification from September 21, 2017, to March 20, 2018.

He was also been given a formal reprimand placed as a permanent record on his membership.

Herefordshire Cycling Club said on their website: "On September 21 last year we were made aware of the suspension of our then coach, Jonathan (Jonty) Williams by British Cycling. He had previously stood down as club coach and as a committee member, which the committee accepted."

A spokesman for Halo said: "Mr Williams hired the former golf shop at Hereford Leisure Centre. We are aware that British Cycling have been hearing a disciplinary case against Mr Williams.

"Their judgement was published on May 23 and, due to the confidential nature of the process, that was the first date on which we were able to be provided with any information about the case.

"Mr Williams initial agreement for use of the shop has come to an end and we are now considering our position and reviewing his ongoing use."

Mr Williams said he was not informed of the full extent of the allegations until December 2017.

He said British Cycling did not carry out a full investigation and he claimed the panel decided to quash every allegation, apart from one which he said he had no way of disproving.

He said: “I then had to build a defence, as British Cycling placed me in the position of guilty until proven innocent.”

He added: “I have no intention of stopping being a coach, I have been a successful coach, and my clients continue to grow and succeed.”

He thanked friends and family for their support.

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