Tim Henman's former doubles partner faces jail after he pleads guilty to sex with an underage teenage girl

  • Dan Sanders, 42, played on the lower levels of tennis circuit in the Nineties 
  • But he has pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with underage girl 
  • He reached a career high of 848 in singles in 1995 and 818 in doubles in 1992
  • He played doubles with Henman 25 years ago and reached a final in Morocco 

Dan Sanders pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with an underage girl

Dan Sanders pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with an underage girl

A former professional tennis player who played doubles with Tim Henman today admitted sexually abusing an underage teenage girl.

Dan Sanders, 42, played on the lower levels of the tennis circuit in the Nineties along with the former British number one – but he now faces jail.

He has pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with an underage girl and one of causing her to engage in sexual activity involving performing a sex act.

Sanders, of Merriott, Somerset, who used to live in Wrexham, North Wales, was given bail at Mold Crown Court until July 27 for a pre-sentence report.

Judge Niclas Parry told him: 'You have admitted these matters at the earliest available opportunity.

'You will be given maximum credit and that will be reflected in the inevitable custodial sentence you will receive.'

The judge added: 'A man of good character will be given his bail.'

Details of the allegations against him were not outlined in court, but it is known that they involve a teenager who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The Wrexham Tennis Centre in North Wales where 42-year-old Sanders used to teach children

The Wrexham Tennis Centre in North Wales where 42-year-old Sanders used to teach children

The tennis player, who later became a coach, reached a career high of 848 in singles in 1995 and 818 in doubles in 1992.

Some 25 ago he played doubles with Henman, reaching the final of a 'Satellite' - now known as 'Futures' - event in Morocco.

Sanders's last professional tournament was in May 1996 and he retired with a career singles record of 6-22, all played on the bottom tier of the tour.

A Lawn Tennis Association spokesman told MailOnline today: 'Our thoughts go out to the victim at the centre of this case and their family.

Some 25 ago Sanders played doubles with former British number one Tim Henman (pictured)

Some 25 ago Sanders played doubles with former British number one Tim Henman (pictured)

'We have a zero-tolerance approach to anything that contravenes our strict policies around child safety. 

'We remain committed to ensuring we have best-in-class procedures, training and requirements for all our people in this important area.'

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Henman.

Henman, who made the Wimbledon men's singles finals four times but never won, was British number one until 2005 when he was succeeded by Andy Murray. 

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