A wealthy amateur golfer has been convicted of molesting a youngster he had seduced with promises of playing professionally.

Spaniard Michael Fernandez, 52, of Denhams Farm, Billingshurst, molested the youngster during trips to famous British courses.

Fernandez, who claims to have mixed with stars like Jose Maria Olazebal, targeted the lad from the age of 12 after befriending him at his local club.

The boy's parents trusted Fernandez and allowed him to take their son to top golf courses, including Gleneagles in Scotland.

The Foreign Exchange broker admitted he often invited young amateurs to his country homes and on trips to famous courses to help nurture their talent.

But at the Old Bailey yesterday a jury found him guilty of six sexual assaults on the boy dating from 1983 to 1986.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, waited until his 30s before he finally made a complaint to police.

David Jeremy, prosecuting, said the victim developed a "serious" gambling habit in his adult life.

The abuse came to light during counselling.

The boy, who lived with his parents in Croydon, Surrey, went to police in March last year and Fernandez was arrested.

He was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault on a male and three counts of buggery between March 1983 and March 1986. He had denied the charges.

Fernandez, who had been on bail throughout his trial, was remanded in custody pending sentence on November 24.