A disgraced rugby coach has avoided jail despite admitting that he groomed two young female players and asked them for sex.

James Dowle, 25, of Nelson, abused his position with the Ynysddu Panthers, where he was the coach for the under-15 and under-18 female teams.

Cardiff Crown Court heard he sent explicit messages to two girls aged 13 and 14.

Claire Pickthall, prosecuting, said: “His messages to the 13-year-old victim were discovered in 2017 when her mother confiscated her mobile phone.

“She became aware of sexual messages between Dowle and her daughter which started on Facebook messenger.

“It was classic grooming behaviour.

“Dowle would ask the teenager what pictures she had on Instagram. He told her that he had pictures of himself in his feed.

“He asked her what she had done in a sexual sense. He told her: ‘We should get it on’.”

The court heard messages were sent over Christmas Day 2018 and into the early hours of Boxing Day.

The victim’s terrified mother contacted the police after discovering the messages and Dowle was arrested the following day.

The coach was fired from his role when the allegations came to light and an investigation launched.

A second teenage victim was soon identified when a concerned mother came forward.

The court heard the messages started innocently but “quickly turned to sexual matters”.

Dowle was arrested in January 2019 and accepted sending messages to both his young victims.

In a statement read to the court, one victim said: “This situation has affected me in many ways.

“I am anxious and cautious around older males and don’t feel comfortable around them.

“The truth is, I didn’t see it coming. I was molested by someone I trusted.”

Dowle admitted six counts of sexual communication with the two girls aged 13 and 14.

Andrew Davies, defending, said: “He is a young man who always sought to work on a sports field.

“He has ruined his life and he accepts that that that is his own fault.”

Dowle was jailed for 38 weeks, suspended for two years.

Judge Rhys Rowlands said: “As a grown man, you behaved in a wholly inappropriate way with two young girls…it has had a profound impact on the girls and their families.

“You knew exactly what you were doing.”

Dowle must also pay a £500 fine and was made subject of a sexual harm prevention order for the next five years.

In a statement, the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed they “worked with police” to bring Dowle to justice.