Swimming coach who used camera to spy on girls as they changed sent to jail

Judge said Matthew Coward had been 'effectively spying' on three girls, whom he had been training to help reach their 'dreams'

Matthew Coward, 32, of Shantalla Drive, Santry, Dublin, pleaded guilty to three counts of the sexual exploitation of three girls and three counts of production of child pornography on dates between September 1, 2021, and February 26, 2022. Picture: Paddy Cummins

A former swimming coach who set up a camera in his office to “effectively spy” on young girls as they changed has been jailed for three years for sexual exploitation and producing child abuse materials.

Matthew Coward, 32, of Shantalla Drive, Santry, Dublin, pleaded guilty to three counts of the sexual exploitation of three girls and three counts of production of child pornography on dates between September 1, 2021, and February 26, 2022. He has one previous conviction.