A 41-year-old Worcestershire cricket coach who showed one of his young players an adult porn movie in a storeroom has avoided a jail sentence.

Former school and club coach Simon Price, of Lanesfield Road, Evesham, was put on a three year sex offenders group work programme and given an order at Worcester Crown Court which could restrict him playing cricket for the next five years.

Kevin Grego, defending, asked the court to raise the age restriction of the usual sexual harm prevention order from under 16 to under 18 so Price could carry on playing at club level.

"Cricket was his occupation and is now his pastime," Mr Grego said.

"He could easily find himself playing against teams at this level which have young players in the side and he would not be able to play. It would have the unintended consequence of isolating him."

Price quit his job as sports centre manager at Prince Henry's High School, Evesham, after the allegations were made. The court heard he was well known in the world of cricket in Worcestershire and people who knew him had been surprised by the allegations.

Price, also a former coach at Evesham and Harvington cricket clubs, was found guilty by a jury after a six day trial of two charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity while in a position of trust. He had shown one of his players a ten minute adult porn video as a reward for him playing well, the jury was told, and the boy had been seriously affected.

Mr Grego said Price was being treated for depression and was now getting disability benefit.

Jonathan Stanniland, prosecuting, said Price was not a predatory paedophile but he had taken sexual advantage on one occasion of a boy who was in his care at the time and should not be allowed back into a position where he could develop another "crush."

Judge Robert Juckes, QC, said it could not be a concern of the court whether or not Price was allowed to play cricket.

He said it was likely that some would consider an immediate prison sentence the most suitable option but he had to consider what was right to change Price's behaviour as he had not yet confronted the fact he had done anything wrong.

He was placed on the sex offenders programme with supervision and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work. He was also given an order for five years restricting his contact with anyone under 16 and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years. He was also ordered to pay £1200 towards costs.