A British football coach is facing a life sentence after being convicted of dozens of sex attacks on children, including nine rapes, Sky News reports.

Stephen Walker, 68, preyed on young football players for more than 40 years.  His youngest victim was six years old.

Walker fled to Malta in 2018, after an investigation into him began.  He returned to the UK a year later off his own volition, and was subsequently arrested and charged.

"Walker fled to Malta after the investigation began in 2018. The Maltese authorities were alerted. He is not believed to have committed any offences while he was in Malta. A European Arrest Warrant was never sought as he returned to the UK of his own accord in October 2019", a spokesperson for Surrey Police said.

Walker was convicted of 40 sex attacks on 14 children, a persistent life of crime that ran from 1966 to 2007. His offences included nine rapes and 22 indecent assaults. Two of his victims were young girls.

Detectives believe that publicity around Walker's convictions will give other victims the courage to come forward.