A former teacher and Torquay United goalkeeper has admitted sexually assaulting two schoolgirls during the 1970s.

Geoffrey Wake, aged 63, was warned he will receive a jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting one girl when she was aged 13 to 16 and a second when she was 14.

The offences took place between 1977 and 1980 when Wake was living in Seaton, East Devon, and teaching in a local secondary school.

He was also a semi professional footballer at the time, having been signed for the remainder of the season as a goalkeeper from Barnstaple Town in December 1977. He played nine games for the club.

Wake, of South Chard, Somerset, admitted three counts of indecent assault against one girl and a single count of indecent assault against the second.

The girls were both pupils at the school where he worked at the time but he was never their teacher, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, adjourned the case for a probation report and released Wake on conditional bail.

The told him:"You have pleaded guilty to serious offences. You will have credit for your plea. As you have been advised, you must expect a significant jail sentence."

Mr David Sapiecha, prosecuting, said the pleas were offered on a basis that Wake had touched the breasts and genitals of one girl and put his hand down the trousers of the second.

He said there had been an element of grooming in the first case which led to the girl consenting to the sexual activity that took place.

He said victim impact statements have been obtained from both complainants and will be available at the sentencing hearing.

Mr Joss Ticehurst, defending, said a probation report would be useful despite the fact that an immediate prison sentence in inevitable.